State Aware of ICE Plans for Merrimack Since January 12
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the community, documents obtained by the New Hampshire ACLU reveal that state officials have been aware for weeks of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) plans to transform a Merrimack warehouse into a detention facility. The timeline shows that by January 12, 2026, ICE was seeking feedback on its intent to ‘purchase, occupy, and rehabilitate’ this 43-acre site, while simultaneously keeping this information from the public and local government officials. This omission raises critical questions about accountability and transparency in government actions.
ICE’s Strategic Operations: A Tension in Merrimack
The lack of communication from both federal and state officials suggests a strategic maneuver by ICE to expand its operations with minimal public scrutiny. “These documents confirm that ICE is not only planning to build a human detention facility in Merrimack but also that it is actively pursuing legal approvals to do so while declining to tell the public, the press, or the town,” commented Devon Chaffee, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Hampshire. This situation exemplifies a broader trend where agencies such as ICE operate in secrecy, forcing local leaders to confront a reality they feel inadequately informed to address.
Governor Kelly Ayotte claims she had no official confirmation of ICE’s plans, a statement now in direct contradiction with the evidence presented by the ACLU. This dissonance illustrates a troubling gap between federal policy execution and local governance. As government representative John Corbett noted, an internal failure to communicate has resulted in unchecked federal actions that sidestep community oversight.
Community Response: Erosion of Trust
This revelation has spurred strong opposition from local leaders. State Rep. Rosemarie Rung has accused Ayotte of deliberately misleading constituents. “Gov. Ayotte played dumb just last Wednesday about ICE’s plans… I’m incredibly disappointed she is putting the interests of Kristi Noem and ICE over her constituents,” she stated emphatically. This sentiment is echoed among Merrimack residents, who insist on transparency and accountability as federal agencies encroach upon their community.
House Minority Leader Rep. Alexis Simpson condemned Ayotte’s inaction as a sign of ineffective leadership, stating that “the absence of leadership, paired with what looks like a deliberate effort to obscure the truth, only enables ICE’s pattern of cruelty and secrecy.” This rejection of ICE’s facility aligns with a national movement against policies perceived as punitive and inhumane.
Building Community Resilience against Federal Actions
As feelings of betrayal grow within Merrimack, locals fear that their community might become collateral damage in a broader trend toward increasing ICE operations across the country. Resistance is mounting, fueled by anger not just at ICE but at leadership’s lack of accountability. Approximately six deaths in ICE custody across the country within the first weeks of 2026 have heightened public awareness of the agency’s controversial practices, including allegations of kidnapping American citizens and mistreatment of detainees. The broader implications of continued ICE expansion resonate throughout communities nationwide, raising alarms on human rights and local governance.
| Stakeholder | Before Initiative | After Initiative |
|---|---|---|
| Community Residents | Unaware of potential ICE plans | Informed yet opposed to the facility |
| Local Government (Mayor, State Reps) | Limited information on federal actions | Accusations of concealment and diminished trust |
| ICE | No public opposition | Intensified scrutiny and backlash |
| State Government (Governor) | Ignorance of the situation | Accused of covering up and lack of transparency |
Projected Outcomes: What’s Next for Merrimack?
Looking ahead, several developments are likely to unfold in the coming weeks:
- Increased scrutiny on ICE: The ongoing opposition may lead to calls for congressional hearings to investigate ICE’s activities and transparency.
- Public demonstrations: Expect organized protests from community members and civil rights groups demanding action against the ICE facility.
- Potential legal challenges: Local government and citizens may pursue litigation to halt the construction of the detention center, citing violations of local governance and lack of stakeholder engagement.
The situation in Merrimack serves as a critical flashpoint in the national conversation surrounding immigration policy and community rights. As stakeholders navigate a web of secrecy and mistrust, the outcomes could set broader precedents for local governance in the face of federal authority.
