Overview
- The laws took effect January 1, and Gov. Kelly Ayotte declared that sanctuary cities are "officially banned" in the state.
- House Bill 511 directs municipalities to honor ICE detainers when safe to do so and prohibits policies that disregard federal immigration directives.
- Senate Bill 62 bars state or local rules that would prevent police departments from entering voluntary cooperation agreements with ICE.
- Ayotte framed the changes as public safety steps and contrasted New Hampshire with Massachusetts over migrant-related costs.
- Coverage situates the state action within the Trump administration’s expanded ICE operations, and local Republicans celebrated the shift.