We, the undersigned, hereby pledge our support for the concept and efforts of the Mt. Washington Valley & Lakes Region Sanctuary Community, a collaboration of individual area residents exercising our rights under the 1st and 10th Amendments of the U. S. Constitution. We hereby pledge to support our Sanctuary Community’s efforts to help local immigrants and their allies, as well as other vulnerable communities that may come under attack, consistent with a commitment to nonviolence, mutual aid, and protection of constitutional and human rights and a life with dignity for all.

“Sanctuary” is a concept that offers individuals, families, and organizations respite and mutual protection from intimidation, harassment, suppression, detainment, and confinement. Several decades ago, sanctuary referred to institutions and municipalities in the U.S. that worked to protect, for example, women seeking abortions or anti-war resisters about to be arrested or immigrants threatened by illegal deportation. More recently, sanctuary cities or towns have been declared by local leaders to indicate that municipal policies and services will, to the greatest extent possible, work with recent immigrants or other threatened individuals to support them in their efforts in being legal, productive participants in U. S. society.  Sanctuary cities choose not to do more than is required by law in aiding federal authorities in enforcing federal immigration laws and regulations – which are the sole responsibility of the federal government.  

But now the Trump Administration is trying to suppress local sanctuary protections by threatening sanctuary cities and towns with loss of federal revenues – and even targeting them with military presence.  Some jurisdictions – including the state of New Hampshire – are attempting to restrict municipalities and counties from adopting sanctuary policies. But they cannot restrict private citizens coming together – calling ourselves Sanctuary Communities – to affirm our values and our intention to take meaningful action to uphold and protect core American values in our community.

In 2025, there has been an increase in detentions and deportations by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)[1].  While the Trump Administration claims that they are going after undocumented immigrants and stokes fears about the involvement of immigrants in crime, numerous independent reports indicate that approximately 70% of those detained this year have not been convicted of any crime[2].

In July 2025, Congress allocated an additional $170 billion dollars to ICE and other agencies, which will be used in part to increase the ICE workforce by thousands[3]. ICE and Administration officials have created quotas – targets- for the numbers of arrests. Observers and scholars around the nation find ICE is violating civil rights, denying due process, and acting illegally and unconstitutionally in numerous other ways[4].  

The Trump Administration’s rhetoric around immigration and crime is filled with lies and exaggerations, especially in claiming immigrants threaten community safety. Research has shown that immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes than the average American[5]. The “surge” in federal actions and accompanying lies and hyperbole, has led to racial profiling and a climate of fear. Journalists and researchers report wrongful detentions of U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and other lawful immigrants, as well as the separation of families and blatantly cruel policies aimed at terrorizing communities.

Our region of central New Hampshire has relatively small immigrant communities and relatively low diversity. But the increase in ICE activities and anti-immigrant rhetoric are affecting people here. There are immigrants in the region operating gas stations, working in high-tech and all levels of education, working in the hospitality field, in medicine, in engineering, in construction and landscaping, in agriculture, in other small businesses, in the public sector, in non-profits, and in every part of the state’s economy. Some are targeted because of their appearance or their accent. Seasonal workers on J-1 visas are common here in the tourism industry, which is a core part of our economy in the Mount Washington Valley and Lakes Region. And we are suffering from the drop in tourism witnessed this year as New Hampshire, like much of the U. S., has become seen as hostile to many foreigners. Some local immigrants who have been here for decades are avoiding traveling and have family members and friends who are afraid to come visit them. Hate crimes have been increasing in New Hampshire in recent years[6].

Fortunately, all but a few area town police departments and the Carroll County Sheriff have not signed onto 287(g) cooperation agreements with ICE, a formal structure that involves local law enforcement working closely with ICE agents. Such agreements erode trust between police and local immigrants and people of color. But, with political and financial pressure from the Trump Administration, and support from Governor Ayotte, some New Hampshire law enforcement and prisons have begun to participate in ICE activities. And that federal pressure is increasing, including efforts to dramatically expand ICE detention space in NH this year.

[1]https://www.ice.gov/features/100-days, https://tracreports.org/immigration/quickfacts/

[2]https://tracreports.org/immigration/quickfacts/, https://www.cato.org/blog/65-people-taken-ice-had-no-convictions-93-no-violent-convictions

[3]https://www.nilc.org/resources/new-funding-increases-immigration-enforcement/, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/big-budget-act-creates-deportation-industrial-complex

[4]https://www.vera.org/news/what-does-due-process-mean-for-immigrants-and-why-is-it-important

[5]https://www.npr.org/2024/03/08/1237103158/immigrants-are-less-likely-to-commit-crimes-than-us-born-americans-studies-find , https://docs.house.gov/meetings/JU/JU01/20250122/117827/HHRG-119-JU01-20250122-SD004.pdf, https://www.cato.org/blog/why-do-illegal-immigrants-have-low-crime-rate-twelve-possible-explanations

[6]https://www.wmur.com/article/hate-crimes-extremism-new-hampshire-91423/45143394

Fortunately, there are many established organizations in this region that support families and workers – including immigrants. Our communities are blessed with numerous mutual aid non-profits, active churches, and citizen initiatives that build community and help protect us all. Together, they provide resources for the unhoused, the hungry, victims of domestic violence, and persons learning English as a second language. Some of the local organizations provide funding and/or medical support, including for those with substance abuse. There is community health care, and funding for heat and other home assistance.

This year, some of these organizations are adjusting to the loss of federal funding. All are simultaneously responding to the growing hostility toward immigrants, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and others to whom they provide services. Demand for services is increasing. These organizations are a safety net that make our communities stronger. And they deserve support.

We, the Mt. Washington Valley & Lakes Region Sanctuary Community will take actions in support of immigrants and their supporters, including the following types of actions:

– learning from and collaborating with area organizations providing social services and support;

– educating ourselves and members of vulnerable communities regarding our legal rights and practical strategies to protect our communities;

– informing local businesses regarding their legal rights related to any immigrants they employ;

– organizing bystander and other trainings on non-violent direct action;

– responding to, monitoring, and documenting ICE and other immigration enforcement activity;

witnessing, recording, and shining a light on violations of rights;

– providing information to national and state media;

– urging state and local officials and law enforcement not to enter into 287(g) agreements or other forms of cooperation and complicity with ICE and other abusive federal activity;

– speaking with community groups, houses of worship, libraries, veterans’ groups, schools, and colleges about ICE mistreatment of citizens and immigrants;

– countering National Guard and ICE recruitment;

– raising funds for emergency assistance; and

– joining other Sanctuary Communities across the nation to stand against the proliferation of police-state tactics that do not represent our shared values and constitutional protections.

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Creation of the Mt. Washington Valley & Lakes Region Sanctuary Community was led by:

MWV Resistance, an informal group of citizens of the greater Mt. Washington Valley, and
DEI in the Lakes & Mountains - an informal group of area citizens advancing DEI and social justice.