No ICE Facility in Merrimack- A Community Victory!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement from New Hampshire State Representatives
Nancy Murphy • Rosemarie Rung • Wendy Thomas

Merrimack, NH — February 24, 2026

Today we join residents of Merrimack, New Hampshire, community leaders, and grassroots supporters in celebrating the announcement that the Department of Homeland Security will not move forward with plans for an ICE processing facility in Merrimack, as confirmed by Governor Kelly Ayotte earlier this morning.

This outcome is a testament to what our community can accomplish when neighbors stand together, raise their voices, and insist that local values and local voices be respected in decisions that affect our town.

Over the past few months, the people of Merrimack made it clear that a large federal detention facility was not welcome here. Town meetings, organized rallies, personal conversations, and sustained advocacy demonstrated the deep, shared belief that our community should reflect our values — dignity, respect, and transparency — and that decisions this significant should never be made without meaningful public engagement.

We want to thank every resident who took the time to express their concerns, attend meetings, write letters, and link arms with neighbors from across New Hampshire. Your commitment to civic engagement made the difference.

We also recognize and thank the many supporters throughout our state and beyond who stood in solidarity with Merrimack. Your voices amplified our message and helped ensure it could not be ignored.

While today’s announcement is a victory, it also underscores the importance of continuing to protect our communities from proposals made without transparency or meaningful local input. We remain committed to working with state and federal partners to ensure that future decisions affecting New Hampshire towns are made with full public involvement and respect for our shared values.

This was a moment when people of goodwill came together to be on the right side of history — for Merrimack, for New Hampshire, and for the principle that communities should have a say in the decisions that shape their futures.

We are proud of what we accomplished together.

— Rep. Nancy Murphy
— Rep. Rosemarie Rung
— Rep. Wendy Thomas