ICE Director Claims DHS Collaborated with Governor on Merrimack; Ayotte Denies It
Controversy surrounds the proposed immigrant detention center in Merrimack, with allegations emerging about collaboration between ICE and state officials. Todd Lyons, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reportedly stated that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) consulted with Governor Kelly Ayotte regarding the detention center. This claim was quickly denied by Ayotte.
Conflicting Statements on Collaboration
During a Senate committee hearing, Lyons asserted that DHS had communicated with Ayotte about the economic implications of the proposed facility. “We did provide an economic impact summary,” he explained. Senator Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, pressed Lyons for specific dates of these discussions.
Ayotte’s immediate response contradicted Lyons’ statements. She released a statement asserting, “This is simply not true,” and demanded more transparency from DHS regarding the Merrimack proposal.
Details of the Proposed Facility
The proposed facility aims to house between 500 to 1,500 immigrants facing deportation at a location on Robert Milligan Parkway in Merrimack. The economic impact analysis provided by DHS, however, primarily discussed implications for Oklahoma rather than New Hampshire.
- Capacity: 500 to 1,500 immigrants
- Location: 50 Robert Milligan Parkway, Merrimack
- Job creation during construction: 1,252 jobs
- Ongoing operational jobs: 265 jobs per year
This focus on Oklahoma raised eyebrows, with Rep. Rosemarie Rung, D-Merrimack, criticizing ICE for issuing documents that seemed irrelevant to the New Hampshire plan. “It’s appalling that ICE plays Granite Staters as fools,” she said.
Impact on State Officials
The backlash has already led to consequences within Ayotte’s administration. Sarah Stewart, the former commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, resigned after it was revealed that her agency received inquiries from ICE about the property back in January without her knowledge.
Ayotte has publicly stated that she learned about the detention center from an ACLU-NH announcement on February 3, after the organization filed a right-to-know request.
Calls for Accountability and Transparency
Local leaders are demanding more transparency from both federal and state officials in the wake of these revelations. Rep. Wendy Thomas, D-Merrimack, expressed strong support for Senator Hassan’s push for clarity on the facility’s implications.
The community remains concerned about the impacts of the proposed detention center. They seek clear communication as plans develop further in Merrimack.
