Two towns bordering on the one where I live are entering 287(g) agreements to collaborate with ICE. As you can guess, this has me worried. I have to go through Kingston to reach places to the north like Exeter and Portsmouth, unless I take a longer way around. Probably I’m not in much personal danger, but no one is safe when ICE is around.

I don’t know why the police departments of Newton and Kingston made this decision. Maybe there was money for them, or they were put under pressure, or they like bashing immigrants. Regardless, it will force people to think about how they interact with the cops. A casual request for information on a neighbor might be a prelude toward a snatch. People whose immigration status has the slightest doubt will need to avoid the police, and they’ll have to think twice before reporting crimes. Even people who just look foreign will have reason to worry. The big question is whether they’re now working for the people of their town or for Donald Trump.

NHPR says there are nineteen municipalities in the state that have made deals with ICE. They’re found all over, but the heaviest concentration is in the southeast part of the state. Rockingham County has cut a deal, thanks largely to Trump pawn Steven Goddu. The town of Troy, in the southwest, has been especially aggressive, to the point that it might be wise to avoid Troy altogether.

So far I haven’t heard of anything happening in Plaistow, but it could be the next domino. I’ve contacted the acting police chief urging the town not to collaborate with ICE. In a small town, one voice can make a difference.

The New Hampshire “Sanctuary Cities” laws are often interpreted as requiring cooperation with ICE, but that’s not really true. Basically, they forbid the adoption of non-cooperation policies, but they don’t require law enforcement to do anything. Governor Ayotte has pandered to the immigrant-haters in talking about the legislation, but her rhetoric is worse than the laws’ content.

People in 287(g) towns should know their rights when encountering ICE. The ICE agents may not care, but following these guidelines will help you in subsequent legal battles.

There’s some good news to go with the bad; Grafton County is pulling out of its ICE agreement under public pressure.

Whatever happens, these agreements will increase the distance between the people and the police, and some will be more afraid to report crimes or share information. The Kingston and Newton police departments have slapped their towns’ residents in the face. The residents need to be prepared.