Federal authorities have abandoned their proposal to construct an immigration detention center in New Hampshire, according to an announcement from the state’s Republican governor on Tuesday.
Governor Kelly Ayotte revealed the decision on social media platform X after meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Washington last week. “The Department of Homeland Security will not move forward with the proposed ICE facility in Merrimack,” Ayotte stated.
The governor indicated she conveyed local opposition from the community located approximately 50 miles northeast of Boston during her discussions with federal officials. Ayotte emphasized that state law enforcement agencies would maintain their collaboration with DHS to protect New Hampshire’s northern border with Canada.
Secretary Noem acknowledged the meeting in an official DHS statement and praised the partnership, describing New Hampshire as “a strong partner.”
This reversal occurs as President Trump implements his comprehensive immigration enforcement agenda. The administration’s intensified deportation efforts have faced increasing public opposition as the November midterm elections approach, with control of Congress at stake.
Immigration enforcement teams have deployed across major metropolitan areas including Los Angeles and Chicago, conducting neighborhood sweeps that have sparked confrontations with local residents. Fatal encounters have occurred, with federal agents shooting and killing two American citizens in Minneapolis during January, and another citizen fatally shot in Texas the previous year.
The current administration is expanding detention capacity to accommodate increased arrests, allocating over $38 billion this year for facilities that have drawn criticism from both Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans like Ayotte.
Opposition groups including Democrats, civil rights organizations, religious leaders, and other advocates have raised concerns about human rights violations, legal issues, and health problems at detention centers. They cite poor conditions, inadequate treatment, and disease outbreaks including measles at facilities operated by companies such as GEO Group and CoreCivic.
Fatality records show at least eight deaths have occurred in ICE detention facilities since early 2026, adding to at least 31 deaths recorded the previous year.
Maryland’s Democratic leadership filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block a proposed detention facility in the state’s western Washington County.
DHS leadership has dismissed characterizations of these facilities as “warehouses.”
Congressional Democrats have obstructed DHS funding in efforts to limit ICE operations. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced Tuesday that President Trump would address the funding issue during his State of the Union address scheduled for that evening.
