City leaders in Laconia have shot down a proposal to have the city's police department be involved with Immigration and Customs Enforcement cases.The failed resolution brought a lot of people out to a Laconia City Council meeting this week. "This is a really divisive issue, and Laconia doesn't need it," said resident Mo Baxley.Residents bashed the plan in front of the City Council that called for local police to be involved with ICE cases. The actions of ICE agents are at the forefront of American discourse after detaining people such as Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk and smashing a car window to detain a Guatemalan man in New Bedford, Massachusetts.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<The resolution, if passed, would have recommended that the city's police commission direct the police chief to sign onto the 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws.Several New Hampshire agencies already participate, allowing them to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight, according to documents on the agency's website. Two others, including New Hampshire State Police, are listed as pending. Laconia's department is not listed.Councilor Steven Bogert brought the proposal forward."It doesn't say that our police force should go out and start pulling people over or arresting people or anything," Bogert said.Laconia Mayor Andrew Hosmer said the Laconia Police Department is independent, and he trusts the chief."I certainly trust him, and I think it's inappropriate for politicians to get involved with how our police department is run," Hosmer said, noting that the department has a decades-long history of working collaboratively with federal and state agencies, saying they will continue to do so.In the end, the measure did not pass, a decision that was greeted with applause by the audience.The mayor said he talked to the police chief this week and has strong reservations about signing onto the program.
LACONIA, N.H. —
City leaders in Laconia have shot down a proposal to have the city's police department be involved with Immigration and Customs Enforcement cases.
The failed resolution brought a lot of people out to a Laconia City Council meeting this week.
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"This is a really divisive issue, and Laconia doesn't need it," said resident Mo Baxley.
Residents bashed the plan in front of the City Council that called for local police to be involved with ICE cases. The actions of ICE agents are at the forefront of American discourse after detaining people such as Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk and smashing a car window to detain a Guatemalan man in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
The resolution, if passed, would have recommended that the city's police commission direct the police chief to sign onto the 287(g) program, which allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws.
Several New Hampshire agencies already participate, allowing them to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight, according to documents on the agency's website. Two others, including New Hampshire State Police, are listed as pending. Laconia's department is not listed.
Councilor Steven Bogert brought the proposal forward.
"It doesn't say that our police force should go out and start pulling people over or arresting people or anything," Bogert said.
Laconia Mayor Andrew Hosmer said the Laconia Police Department is independent, and he trusts the chief.
"I certainly trust him, and I think it's inappropriate for politicians to get involved with how our police department is run," Hosmer said, noting that the department has a decades-long history of working collaboratively with federal and state agencies, saying they will continue to do so.
In the end, the measure did not pass, a decision that was greeted with applause by the audience.
The mayor said he talked to the police chief this week and has strong reservations about signing onto the program.
