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Ayotte Calls Reported Merrimack ICE Plan Speculative as Protest Set for Tonight

State and local leaders report no formal notice from federal authorities.

Overview

  • The Washington Post reported in December that internal ICE documents named a Merrimack warehouse as a potential processing site for 500 to 1,500 detainees in a national consolidation plan.
  • The plan, as described in that reporting, would funnel people from roughly 16 smaller intake sites into seven large warehouse hubs to accelerate deportations.
  • Gov. Kelly Ayotte said the state has received no notification from DHS or ICE and questioned how any facility would be staffed given corrections vacancies.
  • Merrimack town leaders said they first learned of the idea from media reports, say no agreement is in place, and note that federal agencies have not publicly confirmed plans.
  • Local organizers with No ICE NH planned a protest at Town Hall this evening before the Town Council meeting, where the rumored facility was not on the agenda.