Plans to convert a warehouse in Merrimack, New Hampshire, into an immigrant processing center are drawing opposition from local officials and some residents, while raising questions about what state leaders knew and when.
The 300,000-square-foot building located at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway could be repurposed by the Department of Homeland Security as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility with up to 600 beds.
Town Manager Paul Macali said local officials were not informed early in the process.
“We have been left out of the conversation, and we’re just trying to get information. It’s been very sparse,” he said.
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Macali has also raised financial concerns if the federal government purchases the property.
“If the federal government does buy the building, we’re going to lose $529,000 worth of tax revenue, which is a big chunk of money for the school department and the town,” he said.
Public awareness of the proposal followed open records requests by the New Hampshire ACLU and questioning of Trump administration officials by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat.
Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan questioned acting ICE Director Todd Lyons about a planned immigrant processing center, and Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte disputed his public comments.
Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte previously said she had “zero details” about the plans. Her office this week said she has been aware of the intentions since December and had communicated with federal officials.
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In a statement, her office said, “Our office has been in communication for weeks with officials at the White House and DHS about this facility to urge that they coordinate with the town of Merrimack and take local input into account before even considering siting a facility like this in New Hampshire.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday the administration is working with governors nationwide, “including in New Hampshire, to open more detention facilities.”
Political analyst Scott Spradling said the governor’s position could be decisive.
“The governor is probably the only voice in New Hampshire that can stop this thing from moving into reality in the town Merrimack, but the question is, will she do that?” he said.
Spradling also questioned whether the governor is aligning her stance with local opposition.
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“She has certainly said local voices, local control are most important but we’ve already heard the local voices and the local control folks saying ‘We don’t want this here,’” said Spradling.
Merrimack resident Kaitlin Bernier said she voted for Ayotte and expected a better response.
“We already said how we feel about it, and we don’t want it, and there’s been no response, and that’s very disappointing,” she said.
Bernier and other activists plan to rally at Merrimack Town Hall, demanding input before ICE moves forward.
“We have no new detention centers to announce at this time,” DHS’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement. “Secretary [Kristi] Noem has stated that she is willing to work with officials on both sides of the aisle to expand detention space to help ICE law enforcement carry out the largest deportation effort in American history.”
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Macali said he spoke with Trammell Crow, which owns the property, and was told the building has not been sold to the federal government. The company did not return requests for comment.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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