Bill > HB511

This bill establishes the "Anti-Sanctuary Act" in New Hampshire, which requires law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities under specific conditions. The legislation prohibits state and local government entities from creating "sanctuary policies" that would impede federal immigration enforcement, and mandates that law enforcement agencies comply with immigration detainers (official requests to hold individuals believed to be removable aliens) when it is safe to do so. Law enforcement agencies are only permitted to investigate an inmate's citizenship status if it occurs after an alleged violation of New Hampshire law. The bill allows agencies to send, receive, record, and exchange information about an inmate's immigration status with federal agencies, with specific exceptions for certain crime victims and witnesses who are unlawfully present in the United States. Violations of the act could result in legal action by the attorney general, including potential injunctions against local governmental entities or law enforcement agencies that fail to comply. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and while the fiscal impact is currently considered indeterminable, state agencies anticipate potential additional costs related to enforcement and potential litigation.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0594&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB511