Overview

In March 2026, several New Hampshire towns used their annual town meetings — the state’s direct democracy tradition — to push back against their police departments’ participation in ICE’s 287(g) immigration enforcement program. This represents the first organized grassroots opposition to the 287(g) expansion in New England.

Town-by-Town Results

Gorham (Coos County, FIPS 33007)

• Vote: Non-binding warrant article recommending police withdrawal from 287(g) — Passed
• Context: Gorham PD is one of multiple Coos County departments in the program
• Key quote: Resident Abby Evankow: “there was no public hearing, no input from the citizens” before police joined. “If I had dark skin, I’d be much more wary of coming near Gorham”

Ossipee (Carroll County)

• Vote: Non-binding warrant article recommending police withdrawal — Passed 75-56 (March 11, 2026)
• Context: Ossipee PD reported one instance under 287(g) resulting in deportation of someone wanted in El Salvador for homicide — used by supporters to justify participation

Carroll (Coos County, FIPS 33007)

• Vote: Petition for police withdrawal — Failed (82-82 tie) (March 10, 2026)
• Context: Carroll PD received $122,515 from DHS for vehicles, technology, and cell security equipment. Also detained 7 individuals for ICE in December 2025 during DUI crash investigations.
• Significance: The equipment funding shows how DHS incentivizes small-town participation

Troy (Cheshire County)

• Vote: Motion to oppose participation — Tabled after discussion
• Context: Troy PD has made notable immigration arrests under 287(g), including the detention of a Brazilian man with valid work authorization who was held over a month. A U.S. District Court ruled one detainee’s “present detention without a bond hearing violates” the INA.

Hampton (Rockingham County, FIPS 33015)

• Status: Considered warrant article; outcome unclear from available reporting

Why This Matters

These town meeting votes, while non-binding, demonstrate that:

1. The 287(g) expansion lacked community consent — agencies joined without public hearings or citizen input
2. Opposition exists even in conservative/rural NH — Gorham and Ossipee are small rural communities
3. New England’s direct democracy tradition provides a unique mechanism for community pushback not available in most states
4. Financial incentives create tension — Carroll’s $122K in DHS equipment makes withdrawal economically costly for small departments

Sources

• Some NH Folks Push Back on Local Police Role in ICE Program — InDepthNH (Apr 6, 2026)
• ACLU-NH statement on town election opposition to 287(g) — ACLU-NH