New Hampshire should prioritize the rule of law and public safety over the unregulated acceptance of undocumented immigrants. Maintaining robust cooperation with federal immigration enforcement is essential to ensure that all New Hampshire residents, regardless of their immigration status, are held accountable for their actions. Sanctuary cities as a policy, not only challenges the principles of justice and community safety but also risks the integrity of local governance and law enforcement, making these cities an unwise choice for any of our communities.
At the core, Sanctuary Cities as a matter of policy limits cooperation between immigration officials and local authorities/police who have the very difficult day-to-day responsibility to keep our families safe. Broadly, these policies can lead to a lack of accountability for undocumented immigrants who may commit crimes. When local authorities are prevented by ill-conceived “Sanctuary City” policies from cooperating with immigration agencies, by no fault of their own, they create a safe haven for individuals who may pose both physical and property threats to Granite State communities. This undermines the very foundations of law enforcement, eroding trust between the community and our dedicated police. As a result, residents may feel that the legal system is not adequately protecting them but, in fact, it is the absurd and poorly constructed policy that we foolishly label “Sanctuary Cities,” that is the root of this undermining of local law enforcement.
Lastly, much as the “left” likes to use slogans such as “sanctuary cities are welcoming and empathetic,” such policies foster an environment of division rather than inclusion. What I consider to be a climate of “forced acceptance” alienates residents who may feel that their safety is compromised by the presence of undocumented individuals. In some cases undocumented illegals have criminal backgrounds. In other cases undocumented individuals are otherwise law abiding who simply need to follow present immigration policy to become part of our community. This forced acceptance can lead to increased tensions and a breakdown of community cohesion. As a policy, therefore, I oppose Sanctuary Cities.