To speed up deportations, the Trump administration plans to hold 80,000 immigrants in warehouses across the country, including in Merrimack, NH, according to a story published Wednesday in the Washington Post.
Quoting internal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement documents, the Post said the plan includes seven large-scale holding centers to stage 5,000 to 10,000 people for deportation each and 16 smaller ones such as in Merrimack to hold between 500 and 1,500, and would include renovating industrial warehouses.
State Sen. Tim McGough, R-Merrimack, said he has not received any direct communication from Homeland Security, ICE or any federal agency regarding a proposed facility in Merrimack, but would work with local and state officials should more information emerge.
State Rep. Wendy E.N Thomas, D-Merrimack, said she is against any ICE building in Merrimack.
“I am opposed to any ICE building in our town. We don’t need warehouses to detain thousands of people, many illegally. ICE has already racked up many human rights violations and they have terrorized people across the nation. ICE is not welcome in our town or even in NH,” Thomas said Thursday evening.
McGough responded to InDepthNH.org by email Thursday evening saying: “Beyond the general reference in the Washington Post article, there is very little concrete information available to town or state officials that I am aware of. Given that, it is far too early to draw any conclusions or offer definitive commentary about what this might mean.”
Gov. Kelly Ayotte didn’t respond to questions about the Post story Wednesday or on Thursday.
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McGough said, “Until there is more specific, verified information about an actual proposal, scope, location and process, any discussion would be purely speculative.
“What I can say is that if anything of this nature were to be formally proposed, Merrimack’s local officials – including town administration, law enforcement, the Planning Board and Town Council – would operate within the law and in accordance with all applicable planning, zoning and regulatory requirements.
“I am confident that the town would also ensure appropriate transparency and public notice as required.
“Public safety would also be paramount. I would expect that any discussion would involve close coordination with local municipal, county and state law enforcement officials to ensure they are satisfied at every phase of the process, and to ensure that Merrimack and all District 11 residents are kept safe and treated fairly,” McGough said.
“As the state Senator representing Merrimack, my role would be to make sure that any required state level processes are followed and that residents are kept informed as facts become available.
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“Public engagement and adherence to established procedures would be essential. For now though there simply isn’t enough information to comment further. I’ll certainly stay engaged and work with town officials should more details emerge,” McGough said.
According to the Post story, “The large warehouses would be located close to major logistics hubs in Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia and Missouri. Sixteen smaller warehouses would hold up to 1,500 people each,” including one in Merrimack, N.H, the only one listed for New England.
“The draft solicitation is not final and is subject to changes. ICE plans to share it with private detention companies this week to gauge interest and refine the plan, according to an internal email reviewed by The Post. A formal request for bids could follow soon after that,” the Post reported, adding Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, said she “cannot confirm” its reporting and declined to answer questions about the warehouse plan.
“The majority of the planned warehouses are in towns, counties and states led by Republicans supportive of Trump’s immigration policies. Two of the largest warehouses are planned for towns with Democrat-led local governments: Stafford, Virginia, and Kansas City, Missouri,” the Post reported.
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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