By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- Concord, N.H. — Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed laws banning sanctuary city policies; the measures took effect as 2026 began. Police1
- What the laws do: H.B. 511 prohibits cities/towns from adopting policies that impede federal immigration enforcement and bars blanket refusals of detainer compliance or sharing inmate immigration information. S.B. 62 prevents the state or municipalities from forbidding local agencies to enter voluntary ICE agreements. Police1
- Local context: Former “sanctuary” municipalities Hanover and Lebanon have since changed policies to cooperate with federal authorities. Police1
- Governor’s stance: Ayotte: New Hampshire “is not a sanctuary for criminals” and will focus on public safety. Police1
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire’s ban on sanctuary city policies is now in force. Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed companion measures—H.B. 511 and S.B. 62—that restrict cities, towns and police agencies from adopting rules that block cooperation with federal immigration authorities, with both laws taking effect as the state rang in 2026. Police1
According to summaries carried by Police1/Boston Herald, H.B. 511 bars local governments from policies that prohibit or impede enforcement of federal immigration law, including blanket refusals to honor immigration detainers or to share inmate immigration information with federal officials. S.B. 62 separately ensures state and local entities cannot ban their agencies from entering voluntary agreements with ICE. Police1
Ayotte framed the move as a public-safety step, saying New Hampshire “will not go the way of Massachusetts” and will continue working to keep the state “the safest in the nation.” The article notes that Hanover and Lebanon, previously self-declared sanctuary cities, have revised their policies to comply with federal law. Police1
Statehouse supporters described the package as “long overdue,” arguing it clarifies expectations for detainer cooperation and information-sharing across jurisdictions. The rollout arrives amid regional debate over detention capacity and rumored ICE facility planning in southern New Hampshire. Police1