(The Center Square) — New Hampshire law enforcement officials want to deputize local police to participate in federal immigration crackdowns.
The New Hampshire State Police, Belknap County Sheriff’s Office and the Gorham Police Department have applied to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to join the 287(g) program, allowing local police officers to arrest and detain immigration suspects.
New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner Robert L. Quinn said the agreement, if approved, will give state troopers “legal authority and protection” when they encounter individuals suspected of living in the U.S. illegally.
“This agreement will strengthen our longstanding partnerships with federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, including efforts tied to our state-run Northern Border Alliance program,” he said in a statement. It also helps ensure New Hampshire’s law enforcement officers can act swiftly to remove dangerous criminals and keep our communities the safest in the Nation.”
New Hampshire’s Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she backs the request by New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE “to enforce our laws and keep our communities safe.”
“It is critical for state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities and protect our citizens,” Ayotte said in a statement. “Criminals who are in our country illegally and pose a danger should be apprehended and removed.”
Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to enter into agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies to delegate to them certain federal immigration enforcement authorities. ICE trains officers in immigration law, and how to identify and process noncitizens and issue immigration detainers.
The program authorizes three levels of participation, including a Task Force Model that allows local law enforcement agencies the ability to “enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their routine police duties,” according to ICE. The other two models allow local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws inside jails.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month directing the DHS to revive the program, which largely languished under the Biden administration. ICE’s website lists 20 agencies that have signed up to participate in the program, with another 56 pending approval.
“We’ve literally had hundreds of local law enforcement, state law enforcement, that have signed up now — that’ll help us build momentum,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in remarks to reporters last week.
