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Bill

HB 1142

relative to requirements for law enforcement officers assisting in immigration enforcement.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Zoe Manos and 5 co-sponsors

HB 1142 restricts New Hampshire law enforcement's participation in federal immigration enforcement unless specific legal conditions are met, aiming to balance community policing with immigration policy.

Minority Committee Report: Ought to Pass
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1142

Legislative bill overview

HB 1142 establishes requirements and limitations for New Hampshire law enforcement officers who assist in federal immigration enforcement activities. The bill appears to regulate the circumstances under which local police can participate in immigration-related operations, likely requiring warrants, limiting detentions, or restricting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Why is this important

This bill addresses a significant tension between local policing and federal immigration enforcement. How states regulate officer participation in immigration enforcement affects immigrant communities' trust in police, community safety reporting, and the allocation of local law enforcement resources. The sharp committee division (7-6 against, with minority support) reflects genuine policy disagreement on this issue.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of local authority: Debate over whether states can legally constrain how their officers assist federal immigration enforcement, or if federal immigration law preempts such restrictions
  • Public safety vs. community trust: Disagreement about whether limiting immigration enforcement cooperation improves community-police relations or undermines public safety by reducing law enforcement coordination
  • Resource allocation: Dispute over whether local officers should spend time on federal immigration enforcement versus state and local crime priorities
  • Immigrant protection vs. rule of law: Competing values between protecting vulnerable populations and enforcing all applicable federal laws through state resources

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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