SAU 21 Article 7: To see whether police officers shall be permitted to enforce federal immigration laws, comply with immigration detainer requests, or contact federal immigration authorities to conduct a background investigation on anyone arrested on evidence of any other crime. No school district nor town official shall establish “Sanctuary Cities” policies that prevent immigration laws from being enforced by any police officer nor federal immigration officer in the performance of their job. CITIZEN’S PETITION by 25 or more registered voters of the Winnacunnet School District. (Majority vote required.)
What it means: Max Abramson, NH state rep for District 20 Rockingham County, along with 25 registered voters, put this question on the ballot as a poll to get the opinion of voters on the topic. If this Article passes, it would be non-binding.
Those in favor say: The petitioner said that he felt it was an efficient way to start a discussion about policies with regard to immigration policies and law enforcement as it relates to “sanctuary cities”.
Those against say: The points that were made at Deliberative Session include:
- Regardless of one’s position on the topic, a School District Warrant is not the place for this question.
- The Winnacunnet School District has no jurisdiction over the activities of law enforcement in the represented towns (N Hampton, Hampton, Seabrook, Hampton Falls and South Hampton).
- “Sanctuary Cities policies” is the primary topic, but no definition is provided.
- . Schools do not establish immigration policies.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact for this Article.