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Exeter High School Student-Run Newspaper!
Anti-ICE Sit-In and ICE Plans for NH
By Cate Phelps
INTRODUCTION:
On Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 students from all grades showed up to the Green Commons during Advisory as a form of protest against ICE. The sit-in was organized and run by senior Caroline Powley, who made 50+ posters for those who didn’t bring their own.
The week prior to the sit-in, Powley, and other people she reached out to, passed around posters to different classes and lunch tables to spread the word to as many people as possible. Powley clarified to everyone that this event was school-approved and supervised but the school couldn’t make any declarative statements about it due to its partisan political message.
WHAT TO KNOW:
In early January, documents were obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire and released to the public. One letter, dated January 9, contained a request for ICE to purchase an old vacant warehouse in Merrimack “in support of ICE operations” as stated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On January 9th, Grabrielle Fernandez from DHS reached out to a Program Specialist from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources to request the rehabilitation of the property as federal and state law requires reviews of certain projects that could encroach on historic and protected lands.
Governor Kelly Ayotte has denied any knowledge of the project and rejected the premise that DHS reached out to her or the Governor’s office. In a public statement made shortly after the letters and documents were released, she said, “It is entirely unacceptable that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources failed to share this information with the Governor’s office.” Ayotte also stated that she has reached out to the federal government directly to request more information on the plan.
Merrimack Town Manager, Paul Micali has also denied that he was aware of the plan and the Merrimack Town Council sent a letter to DHS Secretary, Kristi Noem and other officials stating the town’s opposition to the ICE facility center. Micali said that they are still awaiting more details. “We're still looking to get a straight answer from the Department of Homeland Security, one way or the other, whether they plan to put a facility in Merrimack or not,” he said.
DHS did reply to the town via Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s office stating, “ICE at this time is unable to share details about the upcoming expansion in New Hampshire or elsewhere. ICE has no new detention centers to announce at this time,” the letter said. It also mentioned a “heightened threat environment” because of opposition to its activities.
Though DHS has stated that “ICE has no new detention centers to announce,” their request included that the renovations needed for the warehouse involved “construction of holding and processing spaces, office space, public-facing visitor spaces, and installation of amenities, such as cafeterias, bathrooms, and health care spaces.” They also stated that they intend to build fencing, cameras and exterior personnel access control, as well as “tentage and a guard shack.”
ACLU of New Hampshire Executive Director, Devon Chaffee, made the statement that the warehouse shouldn’t be used for whatever ICE is planning: “This is a warehouse that is clearly intended for merchandise, and they're trying to turn it into a place to house human beings.”
The Washington Post, who initially reported on leaked DHS documents, cited that ICE is working towards constructing an entire new network of facilities to hold up to 80,000 detainees at once. They identified that the Merrimack center would be able to hold up to 1,500 people.
IN CONCLUSION:
There have been several forms of protest taking place across New Hampshire in opposition to ICE’s new “processing center.” For example, there was a student-organized walk-out at Portsmouth High School on February 3rd. Lyla Caldwell, a senior there said, “The people who are saying school isn’t a place to be protesting these things. I’ve seen that ICE is going into schools and waiting outside of schools to take teenagers. If they’re going to make it the place, we’re going to make it the place. It’s wrong.”
There was another protest held on the State House Lawn on January 31st. "I want us to encourage everyone who's still standing on the sidelines to please join and help save this country," said protester Natalie Hitz. "No one should be on the sidelines anymore."
People from all across New Hampshire have rallied together to take a stand against ICE and the plan to enter into the state. Whether it’s a small pin, or organizing a sit-in, New Hampshirites have encouraged people to protest in any way they can.
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