Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)
Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), a senior member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) in continuing to push Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to address the serious concerns raised by local Merrimack officials regarding ICE’s effort to build a new detention facility in the town.
The New Hampshire Congressional Delegation wrote to Secretary Noem transmitting a letter from New Hampshire State Representative Bill Boyd outlining his opposition and concerns regarding ICE’s proposed Merrimack facility. Despite widespread public concern in Merrimack about the project, local Merrimack officials say they have still not been contacted by DHS or ICE about the project.
“The accompanying letter details the potential negative impact this facility may have on the community’s economic development, as well as the potential strain such a facility would place upon the local economy, infrastructure, and public safety,” wrote New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation in their push on Kristi Noem to respond. “We share the local concerns expressed about the project, and these concerns must be addressed.”
“We…request that you expeditiously engage with local leadership, including law enforcement and emergency services, regarding the proposed plan. We look forward to your prompt outreach to local officials, law enforcement, and emergency services,” concluded the Congressional Delegation.
In January, Pappas led the New Hampshire Congressional delegation in demanding that Secretary Noem swiftly acknowledge and address concerns raised by the Merrimack Town Council about reports that ICE plans to establish a new processing center in the town. In a letter earlier this month, Pappas also urged Appropriations Committee leaders to include language in any DHS funding to protect states’ and localities’ ability to make decisions about what is best for their communities.