My foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of New Hampshire. Over the past few years, our state has faced growing challenges, particularly from the same illegal immigration that has plagued our nation as a whole. The increasing presence of individuals who are unlawfully in our country poses significant risks to our communities, strains our resources, and undermines the rule of law.
That is why I have filed legislation to make it a felony to be in New Hampshire while being in the United States illegally and to establish a state Deportation Task Force. This legislation is not just about enforcing the law—it’s about protecting our communities and maintaining the safety and security that New Hampshire residents deserve.
Illegal immigration is not just a federal issue; it is a local one, too. The impact of illegal immigration is felt across our state, from our schools and hospitals to our streets. While New Hampshire is known for its strong sense of community and public safety, we are not immune to the challenges that illegal immigration brings. Across the country, we have seen the devastating consequences of unchecked illegal immigration, including increases in crime rates, the exploitation of our social services, and threats to our national security. New Hampshire cannot afford to ignore these dangers.
Consider the statistics. In the past year, over 16,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested for crimes, including violent offenses, drug trafficking, and identity theft across the country. These numbers represent very real threats to the safety of our families, friends, and neighbors. Our local law enforcement agencies are already stretched thin, and asking them to handle the additional burden of illegal immigrant crime and drugs without the proper resources and legal framework is both unfair and unwise.
The legislation I am proposing aims to address these challenges head-on. By making illegal presence in New Hampshire a felony, we send a clear message that our state will not tolerate the violation of our laws. Furthermore, the establishment of a Deportation Task Force within the state of New Hampshire, across various state departments and agencies, will ensure that we have the dedicated resources and coordination necessary to identify, track, and arrest individuals who are in our state illegally. This task force will work closely with federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to facilitate the swift deportation of these individuals.
When the federal government fails to act, as it has under the Biden-Harris administration, states like New Hampshire must step up to protect their residents from the onslaught of drugs and crime that has come through our open and porous borders. This legislation is not about vilifying immigrants—far from it. It is about ensuring that those who come to our country do so legally and that those who break our laws are held accountable.
New Hampshire has always been a state that values law and order, and this legislation is a reflection of those values. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the dangers posed by illegal immigration. By passing this legislation in 2025, we will take a significant step toward securing our state, supporting our law enforcement, and safeguarding the future of New Hampshire.
I urge the people of New Hampshire to elect a House and Senate majority on Nov. 5 that will stand with me in protecting the people of New Hampshire. Together, we can ensure that our state remains a safe, secure, and law-abiding place to live, work, and raise a family.
