NH SB71

Local governmental entities in New Hampshire are prohibited from adopting "sanctuary" policies that impede state or federal law enforcement agencies from complying with federal immigration laws under Title 8 of the United States Code.

County correctional facilities are authorized to hold individuals subject to ICE detention for up to 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) after state charges are resolved to allow federal authorities to assume custody.

The Attorney General may sue local governmental entities that violate the law, with potential penalties including injunctive relief and fines up to 25% of the entity's total state funding for that fiscal year.

Any agency refusing to honor an immigration detainer must report each refusal to the Attorney General in a prescribed manner.

The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and fiscal impact includes indeterminable state expenditures (potentially up to $233,000 for enforcement) and indeterminable county costs averaging $120-140 per day per detainee.