Concord, NH – Today, Representative Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) announced that he has filed a legislative service request to introduce a bill aimed at criminalizing illegal presence in New Hampshire as a felony and establishing a state Deportation Task Force. This legislation is designed to enhance public safety by ensuring that individuals unlawfully present in the United States are identified, tracked, arrested, and deported through partnerships with federal law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“New Hampshire must take strong and decisive action to protect our communities from the dangers posed by illegal immigration,” said Rep. Sweeney. “This bill is about ensuring that our state remains a safe place for our residents by addressing the serious threat posed by those who are in our country illegally and are engaging in criminal activity.”
The proposed bill would amend existing state statutes to create a new felony offense for illegal presence and establish a Deportation Task Force across various state departments and agencies. This Task Force will work closely with federal agencies to ensure that individuals unlawfully present in the state are swiftly deported.
“I am committed to ensuring that New Hampshire remains a place where law-abiding citizens can live and work without fear,” Rep. Sweeney added. “By passing this legislation next year, we will take an important step toward securing our state and supporting our law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to keep us safe.”