1. United States
2. N.H.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand immediate transparency and accountability regarding the proposed ICE detention facility in Merrimack. The conflicting accounts and lack of candor from your administration have eroded public trust at a time when New Hampshire residents deserve straightforward answers. Documents obtained by the ACLU of New Hampshire reveal that state officials, including your office, had knowledge of this facility as early as January 12. Yet local officials in Merrimack learned about these plans through investigative journalism rather than proper government channels. This is unacceptable. Town council members have been left scrambling for information, reaching out to federal and state officials who have provided only vague responses. The confusion deepened during the February 13th Senate Homeland Committee hearing when Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons confirmed he had communicated with you about an economic impact summary for the Merrimack facility. Your office immediately disputed this claim, stating that DHS has not provided substantial details or reports. These contradictory statements raise serious questions about what information your administration possesses and why it has not been shared with the communities most affected by this decision. As Representative Maggie Goodlander stated, "This is not how a democracy works. Accountability matters." I agree completely. The perception that officials intentionally kept the community in the dark to prevent public opposition, as local activist Kim Herdman Shapiro suggested, is deeply troubling and undermines democratic principles. While I appreciate that you have tasked Attorney General John Formella with investigating this matter, New Hampshire residents need more than an internal review. I urge you to immediately release all communications, documents, and reports related to the Merrimack detention facility. The public deserves to know what you knew, when you knew it, and why this information was not shared with local officials and residents who will be directly impacted by a facility slated for completion by the end of Fiscal Year 2026.