ICE Abandons Planned New Hampshire Processing Center After Ayotte's Appeal

The federal government has abandoned plans to build an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, GOP Governor Kelly Ayotte announced in a social media post Tuesday. Ayotte credited direct conversations with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for the reversal.

Ayotte described the decision as a major win for the Town of Merrimack and emphasized continued cooperation between federal and state authorities to secure New Hampshire’s northern border and keep dangerous criminals off local streets.

"I thank her for hearing the concerns of the Town of Merrimack and for the continued cooperation between DHS and New Hampshire law enforcement to secure our northern border, keep dangerous criminals off our streets, and ensure our communities are safe," Ayotte wrote on X.

The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration policies, and growing calls from some Republicans for the White House to reconsider tactics after public pushback over detention facilities sited in communities across the country.

Some Republican lawmakers — while generally supportive of tougher deportation efforts — have opposed locating detention or processing centers in their own states. In early February, Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) sent a letter to Secretary Noem urging ICE to halt plans for a proposed processing facility in Byhalia, Mississippi, saying such sites can "foreclose economic growth opportunities" and offer limited community benefits.

At a recent White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, defended enforcement actions and described the planned facility as a consequence of what she called the previous administration's border failures. Leavitt said law enforcement in New England is confronting criminal activity tied to illegal immigration and that arrests, detentions and deportations remain a priority.

ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on why the agency pulled back from the New Hampshire plan. In a press release circulated by Ayotte’s office, Secretary Noem praised New Hampshire as a cooperative partner on immigration enforcement.

"I appreciated my discussions with Governor Ayotte last week. From banning sanctuary cities to strengthening law enforcement cooperation, New Hampshire has been a strong partner in securing our country, and we look forward to continuing our work together," Noem said.