After years of insisting New Hampshire has no sanctuary cities and that Republicans were whipping up racist fears by pushing the legislation, New Hampshire House Democrats overwhelmingly joined with Republicans to pass a sanctuary city ban Thursday by a vote of 351-6.
In May of last year, all but one House Democrat voted to block a similar bill, which was tabled in a 188-177 vote.
“Quite the about face” by House Democrats, observed Union-Leader political reporter Kevin Landrigan.
And there may be more reversals to come. Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka said Wednesday that she and her fellow Senate Democrats “are open to” supporting the House bill as well. Democrats unanimously voted against the Senate version of the bill last week.
The six Democrats “no” votes were: Reps. Donald Bouchard (D-Manchester), Will Darby (D-Nashua), Julie Gilman (D-Exeter), Ellen Read (D-Newmarket), Geoffrey Smith (D-Dover) and Kathy Staub (D-Manchester).
In addition to passing the sanctuary city ban, the House also passed HB 71, the Schools Not Shelters Act, by a 211-146 vote. Only two Democrats backed this bill, which bans the use of public schools and colleges as housing for illegal immigrants.
“Today, House Republicans resoundingly and unanimously voted to ban dangerous and lawless Sanctuary City policies and to keep our schools from being used as housing for illegal aliens,” said House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn). “By passing the Anti-Sanctuary Act and the Schools Not Shelters Act, Republicans are sending a united message that offers a stark contrast to our neighboring states. While Massachusetts suffers a crisis thanks to their detrimental sanctuary policies and housing of illegal aliens, New Hampshire will remain a place where we respect the rule of law.”
House Minority Leader Rep. Alexis Simpson (D-Exeter), who voted for the GOP bill, did not respond to requests for comment. Simpson had previously denounced the legislation and voted against it last May.
At a press conference with House and Senate Democratic leaders, Simpson accused Republicans of “trying to weaponize culture war issues” like immigration “to distract from the real issues facing Granite Staters.”
On Wednesday, Perkins Kwoka claimed that “we have no sanctuary cities in New Hampshire.” Now, she appears ready to vote for a bill to ban them.
Rep. Nicholas Germana (D-Keene) told the Keene Sentinel Democrats supported the sanctuary city ban because it merely reiterates current policies in which local officials don’t enforce immigration law but rather cooperate with federal immigration efforts.
“We have no sanctuary cities in the state,” Germana told the paper. “That is just a talking point for Republicans.”
The claim that there are no sanctuary cities in the Granite State has been debunked. Both Hanover and Lebanon, for example, proudly tout their sanctuary status.
Progressive organizations like the New Hampshire Immigrant Rights Network (NHIRN) and the ACLU-NH publicly opposed the legislation.
“This proposed legislation is anathema to New Hampshire value, and it would be a grave disservice to the people and communities of this State to enact this bill,” the NHIRN wrote to House members, “Enactment of SB 511-FN will not advance interests of New Hampshire municipalities or law enforcement, and will certainly not serve the people of New Hampshire.”
Republicans say the Democrats’ sudden reversal is a sign the message of November’s election is beginning to reach Concord.
“In 2024, the voters handed us a mandate to get this job done and House Republicans will not Mass up New Hampshire,” Osborne said.
