New Hampshire Takes a Stand Against Sanctuary Cities

New Hampshire made a bold move on January 1st. The state's governor, Kelly Ayotte, announced that sanctuary cities are no longer welcome. This decision came after two new laws were put into action. These laws make it mandatory for cities to work with federal authorities on immigration matters. The governor shared this news on a social media platform, saying, "Sanctuary cities are officially banned in New Hampshire. " She also mentioned that the state won't follow Massachusetts' path, which has been dealing with a costly illegal immigration situation. Back in May, Ayotte signed two bills into law. House Bill 511 and Senate Bill 62 aim to stop sanctuary cities and support cooperation between state, local, and federal law enforcement. The governor emphasized that New Hampshire won't be a safe haven for criminals and will continue to strive to be the safest state in the nation.However, there's a twist. House Bill 511 actually limits when law enforcement can check an inmate's citizenship status. They can only do this if there's been a violation of state law or if they have authorization. The bill also requires law enforcement to comply with immigration detainers for those being held in jail as part of a crime investigation. Senate Bill 62 has similar requirements but adds that county jails can hold individuals subject to ICE detention orders for up to 48 hours after their state charges are resolved. Supporters of these bills argue that reducing illegal immigration is crucial. They point to high-profile cases of violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. But critics might wonder if these laws truly make the state safer or just create more tension.