Key Highlights
- New Hampshire officials knew about ICE plans for a warehouse in Merrimack since January.
- The federal government has been in communication with the state to modify the facility into an immigrant detention center.
- Governor Kelly Ayotte denied knowledge of the plan, though documents show otherwise.
- Local town manager expressed dissatisfaction and opposition to the ICE proposal.
The Unseen Hand in Merrimack: ICE’s Quiet Move into New Hampshire
You might think this is new, but… not always.
In January, federal Homeland Security officials quietly approached state agencies with plans to transform a vacant warehouse in Merrimack, NH, into an immigrant detention facility. The Department of Homeland Security’s letter to the Division of Historical Resources on January 12 detailed these grand designs. Yet, state Governor Kelly Ayotte insists she was unaware of any such intentions until documents were released by the ACLU of New Hampshire.
A Divided State
The Merrimack town manager, Paul Micali, learned about this plan not from the governor’s office but from a Washington Post report in December. The town council quickly wrote to federal and state officials expressing opposition, citing potential financial impacts.
Local residents may have felt blindsided, but documents show that state officials were already aware of the plans. Division Director Sarah Stewart took full responsibility for failing to alert Governor Ayotte, saying, “Division Directors are supposed to notify me of any Right-to-Know Requests or Section 106 Requests for Review.”
The Governor’s Denial
Gov. Ayotte’s denial of knowledge is now looking increasingly dubious. In a statement, she sharply criticized the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, saying, “It is entirely unacceptable that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources failed to inform the Governor’s office.”
The governor’s office has been quick to point fingers but slow in providing clarity. Despite numerous requests from local officials, federal authorities, and even state lawmakers, ICE has declined to share details about its plans for New Hampshire.
Legal Challenges Ahead
Devon Chaffee of the ACLU of New Hampshire called on elected officials to make their opposition clear. “It matters if our governor says that she doesn’t want this facility,” he emphasized. Legal challenges are looming as the ACLU explores potential options for resisting ICE’s presence in Merrimack.
The proposal outlines extensive modifications, including construction of holding and processing spaces, office space, public-facing visitor areas, and even amenities like cafeterias, bathrooms, and health care facilities. Security measures such as fencing, cameras, and guard shacks are also planned.
Local opposition is mounting.
The warehouse sits at the intersection of various businesses and transportation infrastructure, including a defense contractor and an airport. Merrimack residents see this as more than just a building; it’s a place where human beings will be detained.
A Wake-Up Call for Governance
This situation highlights the need for transparency in government operations, especially those that could impact communities significantly. The silence from federal and state officials until documents were released is alarming. It raises questions about how such major decisions are made behind closed doors.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: New Hampshire’s residents will not sit idly by while their community becomes a potential detention hub. The clock is ticking as local and state officials grapple with this complex issue.
