New Hampshire has become the first New England state to formally ban sanctuary city policies, signaling a sharp shift in immigration enforcement under Governor Kelly Ayotte.
At a Glance
- Governor Kelly Ayotte signed House Bill 511 and Senate Bill 62 on May 22, 2025
- New laws prohibit local policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities
- Ayotte fulfilled a key campaign promise targeting Massachusetts-style sanctuary policies
- The laws require law enforcement to coordinate with ICE and honor detainer requests
- Critics warn the measures may deter immigrants from reporting crimes
A Line in the Sand
In a move that distinguishes New Hampshire from its regional neighbors, Governor Kelly Ayotte has signed legislation outlawing sanctuary city policies. The dual-package bills, House Bill 511 and Senate Bill 62, codify strict mandates for local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ayotte celebrated the decision as a firm step toward preserving public safety, declaring, “We won’t let our state go the way of Massachusetts and their billion-dollar illegal immigrant crisis.”
The laws prohibit municipal ordinances that restrict immigration status inquiries or refuse ICE detainer requests, and they obligate all state and local police to cooperate with federal agents. Though New Hampshire currently lacks any official sanctuary cities, Republican lawmakers cited up to a dozen “welcoming” communities they believed could veer in that direction.
Watch a report: New Hampshire Governor Signs Ban on Sanctuary Cities.
The Politics of Preemption
Ayotte’s anti-sanctuary stance has long been central to her platform. Her campaign slogan—“DON’T MASS UP NEW HAMPSHIRE!”—highlighted fears of emulating Massachusetts’ policies, which critics argue have overwhelmed public resources and weakened law enforcement.
Supporters say the legislation proactively blocks such policies from taking root in the Granite State. “This ensures our cities don’t become safe havens for those violating federal immigration law,” said one Republican legislator during the signing.
But opponents warn that mandatory ICE cooperation may erode trust between immigrant communities and police. Critics fear that undocumented residents may avoid law enforcement altogether—even to report crimes—if they risk deportation after seeking help.
Implications for the Region
New Hampshire’s new law places it at odds with neighboring Massachusetts and Vermont, both of which maintain varying degrees of sanctuary protections. Advocates for tighter immigration enforcement argue that this divergence is necessary to contain cross-border impacts from sanctuary jurisdictions.
While federal immigration enforcement has historically varied with presidential administrations, states have increasingly stepped into the vacuum. New Hampshire’s move may inspire similar legislation in other states as the 2026 midterms approach and immigration remains a top-tier voter concern.
Governor Ayotte has promised that this legislation is just the beginning of a broader strategy to bolster public safety and national security. Whether other New England states will follow remains to be seen, but New Hampshire has now set a clear, and controversial, precedent.
