By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org
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.
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.
“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.
