New Hampshire has made a bold move to strengthen immigration enforcement by officially banning sanctuary city policies statewide. Governor Kelly Ayotte signed legislation this week that prohibits cities and towns from obstructing cooperation with federal immigration authorities, making New Hampshire the first state in New England to enact such a measure.
The new law—encompassing House Bill 511 and Senate Bill 62—ensures that local and state law enforcement can freely collaborate with federal immigration officials. It bars any policy that would prevent officers from honoring federal detainers or sharing information with immigration authorities.
“There will be no sanctuary cities in New Hampshire, period,” Governor Ayotte declared during the signing. She emphasized that the legislation is about restoring law and order and prioritizing public safety.
The move aligns New Hampshire with a growing number of states pushing back against sanctuary policies. In recent years, several Republican-led states have taken legal or legislative steps to block cities from refusing to enforce federal immigration laws. These efforts have ramped up in response to what critics call the Biden administration’s failure to control the southern border and enforce existing immigration laws.
The Department of Justice has also turned up the pressure nationally, challenging sanctuary policies in court. Several major cities in New Jersey—including Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson—are currently facing legal action for allegedly obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
Supporters of the New Hampshire law argue it provides clarity and security, ensuring that no local jurisdiction can harbor individuals in defiance of federal law. Critics, however, warn that the law could discourage undocumented individuals from reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement out of fear of deportation.
Still, with this legislation, New Hampshire has taken a firm stance—one that will likely serve as a model for other states in the region and beyond. As immigration continues to be a defining issue heading into the next election cycle, the ban underscores a growing movement to reassert local-federal cooperation and reestablish the rule of law at all levels of government.