02/23/2026
Shaheen Leads Introduction of Bicameral Legislation to Require DHS Notify Congress, Acquire Local Approval Before Opening New Processing and Detention Facilities
**Reports of new ICE facilities have sparked backlash in New Hampshire and communities across the country**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), alongside U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), is introducing a new bill that would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to solicit public comments and receive written approval from state and local officials before constructing, acquiring or operating any new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility or detention center. The new bicameral Respect for Local Communities Act would also require the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify relevant Congressional committees prior to initiating such activities.
“Americans are justifiably concerned as DHS moves to open secretive facilities across the country to detain thousands of individuals at a time, with little transparency or regard for the communities they’re being located in. I, along with the overwhelming majority of Americans, agree that we should have a secure border and a humane and rules-based immigration system – but that’s not what the Trump Administration has done, with stunning displays of violence and cruelty, including against U.S. citizens. At a time when so many Americans are struggling with high costs for things like health care and housing, the Trump Administration is instead spending $38 billion in taxpayer money to purchase and operate these facilities,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our new bill responds directly to the concerns we’ve heard from local officials in towns like Merrimack, New Hampshire and across the country: They were never consulted about ICE’s plans, and they don’t want the chaos of new detention facilities in their communities. By requiring DHS to secure approval from state and local officials, our legislation would ensure that Americans and Granite Staters have a say in what the federal government is planning in our own communities.”
“When it comes to plans for a potential ICE facility, the Department of Homeland Security and ICE need to work with state and local officials so that our communities have a say and we can ensure that our communities are safe,” said Senator Hassan. “Granite Staters, local law enforcement, and local leaders have raised serious concerns about the proposed ICE detention facility in Merrimack, and this bill would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from unilaterally forcing a processing facility or detention center on our communities. I’ll continue to work to ensure that we have secure borders, an immigration system consistent with American values, and that Granite Staters, local leaders, and New Hampshire’s first responders have a say in what goes on in their communities.”
“Granite Staters want safe communities, accountable government, and local control,” said Congressman Pappas. “That is why I stand with the residents of Merrimack, local leaders, and the thousands of Granite Staters who are voicing strong opposition to the construction of a large scale immigration detention center. It is completely unacceptable for the Trump administration to continue to bypass local leaders throughout this process. That’s why I’m working to require the federal government to get local approval before this or any similar proposal moves forward. I will continue to work with community and state leaders to stop this plan and to demand the full transparency and accountability that is lacking from this administration.”
“The half-baked $38 billion campaign to commandeer industrial warehouses for the detention of human beings without the knowledge or approval of local communities in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and across America is a dangerous and un-American overreach by the Department of Homeland Security. It is undermining our local leaders. It is eviscerating public trust. It is imperiling public safety. It is threatening economic growth. It must stop,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “Our commonsense legislation will rein in this chaos by mandating the transparency and accountability that local communities across New Hampshire and America need and deserve over these decisions.”
Click HERE to view the bill text.
Across the country, reports of ICE purchasing warehouses to convert into detention centers have sparked widespread backlash from communities and elected officials alike. ICE documents unveiled last week detail plans to spend $38.3 billion to boost detention capacity.
Since reporting in December that listed Merrimack, New Hampshire as a potential for a new processing site, the New Hampshire Congressional delegation has continuously pushed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to address the serious concerns raised by Merrimack officials regarding ICE’s effort to build a new facility in the town. In recent weeks, the delegation has sent letters to DHS demanding that Secretary Noem respond to concerns expressed by the Merrimack Town Council and New Hampshire State Representative Boyd. Despite widespread public concern in Merrimack about the project, local Merrimack officials say they have still not been contacted by DHS or ICE about the project.
