The White House is commenting on potential plans to build an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Merrimack, saying Wednesday that there’s a need for detention centers.Rumors had circulated for months about a possible ICE facility at a warehouse at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway before the government confirmed the plans earlier this year. On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who grew up in Atkinson, said the Trump Administration has deported nearly three million people who were in the United States illegally. “There are a lot more illegal alien criminals left in our homeland. That includes in New England,” Leavitt said. “There are many within our communities in New Hampshire, in Maine, and definitely in Massachusetts and in the Boston suburbs that need to be arrested, detained, and deported back to their home countries.”Much of the criticism around the issue has focused on a lack of transparency, with Gov. Kelly Ayotte initially saying that the Department of Homeland Security had not informed her of any plans for such a facility. Documents came to light in early February that showed that DHS had been in discussions with the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, something that Ayotte said she hadn’t been made aware of. The commissioner of DNCR later resigned at Ayotte’s request.After Leavitt’s press briefing Wednesday, the governor’s office released a statement saying it has been urging the federal government to communicate directly with the community. >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<“Our office has been in communication for weeks with officials at the White House and DHS about this facility to urge that they coordinate with the town of Merrimack and take local input into account before even considering siting a facility like this in New Hampshire,” the statement read.After a U.S. Senate hearing in which U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, questioned interim ICE Director Todd Lyons about the issue, DHS sent the state documents outlining the potential economic impact of an ICE facility in Merrimack and an overview of the administration’s plans for ICE facilities across the country. Even before the plans to retrofit the warehouse were confirmed, protesters held demonstrations opposing the project, and several local and state officials have spoken out against it.Another protest, called “No ICE NH,” is planned for Saturday in Merrimack. Some said they’re concerned about the potential impact on the town and would prefer a private business occupying the property and paying taxes rather than the federal government. “Lack of transparency, lack of letting us know what their plans are, and having a chance to provide inputs before decisions get finalized,” said Bill Harrison of Merrimack. Others said they’re keeping an open mind. “We do need detention facilities, I’m not sure we need as many as they’re trying to build or go as crazy as they’re trying to go,” said Robert Lade, who works in Merrimack.
The White House is commenting on potential plans to build an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Merrimack, saying Wednesday that there’s a need for detention centers.
Rumors had circulated for months about a possible ICE facility at a warehouse at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway before the government confirmed the plans earlier this year.
On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who grew up in Atkinson, said the Trump Administration has deported nearly three million people who were in the United States illegally.
“There are a lot more illegal alien criminals left in our homeland. That includes in New England,” Leavitt said. “There are many within our communities in New Hampshire, in Maine, and definitely in Massachusetts and in the Boston suburbs that need to be arrested, detained, and deported back to their home countries.”
Much of the criticism around the issue has focused on a lack of transparency, with Gov. Kelly Ayotte initially saying that the Department of Homeland Security had not informed her of any plans for such a facility. Documents came to light in early February that showed that DHS had been in discussions with the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, something that Ayotte said she hadn’t been made aware of.
The commissioner of DNCR later resigned at Ayotte’s request.
After Leavitt’s press briefing Wednesday, the governor’s office released a statement saying it has been urging the federal government to communicate directly with the community.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<
“Our office has been in communication for weeks with officials at the White House and DHS about this facility to urge that they coordinate with the town of Merrimack and take local input into account before even considering siting a facility like this in New Hampshire,” the statement read.
After a U.S. Senate hearing in which U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, questioned interim ICE Director Todd Lyons about the issue, DHS sent the state documents outlining the potential economic impact of an ICE facility in Merrimack and an overview of the administration’s plans for ICE facilities across the country.
Even before the plans to retrofit the warehouse were confirmed, protesters held demonstrations opposing the project, and several local and state officials have spoken out against it.
Another protest, called “No ICE NH,” is planned for Saturday in Merrimack.
Some said they’re concerned about the potential impact on the town and would prefer a private business occupying the property and paying taxes rather than the federal government.
“Lack of transparency, lack of letting us know what their plans are, and having a chance to provide inputs before decisions get finalized,” said Bill Harrison of Merrimack.
Others said they’re keeping an open mind.
“We do need detention facilities, I’m not sure we need as many as they’re trying to build or go as crazy as they’re trying to go,” said Robert Lade, who works in Merrimack.