New Hampshire Police Officers Receive Recruitment Emails From ICE

Several New Hampshire police officers recently received recruitment emails from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), signaling a major shift in how state and local law enforcement work with federal immigration authorities. This move comes as ICE launches a new nationwide recruitment campaign and expands its partnerships with police agencies across New Hampshire.

In July 2025, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began a campaign called “Defend the Homeland.” The campaign aims to hire more ICE agents, especially those with experience in law enforcement. ICE sent out recruitment emails and posters to police officers in New Hampshire and other states, offering large incentives. These include a signing bonus of up to $50,000, student loan forgiveness, better retirement benefits, and extra overtime pay. The campaign is part of a larger effort to bring in experienced officers, especially from agencies that have joined or expanded their work with ICE’s 287(g) program.

The 287(g) program allows local police to help enforce federal immigration laws. In April 2025, New Hampshire State Police became the largest agency in the state to join this program under the “task force” model. This agreement, signed on April 25, 2025, gives certain state troopers the power to question and detain people about their immigration status during regular police work. Governor Kelly Ayotte has strongly supported this move, urging all state law enforcement agencies to work closely with ICE.

By August 2025, at least a dozen law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire—including state police, several county sheriff’s offices, and city police departments—had signed 287(g) agreements with ICE. This is a big jump from previous years and matches a national trend under the current federal administration, which has pushed for more aggressive immigration enforcement.

Under the 287(g) task force model, deputized officers can question, detain, and arrest people suspected of immigration violations during traffic stops or other routine duties. To qualify, officers must be U.S. citizens, have at least two years of law enforcement experience, and complete a 40-hour online training. The training covers immigration law, civil rights, and cross-cultural issues. After training, these officers can act as federal immigration agents in the field—a big change from past policy, which kept this power with federal agents only.

This policy shift has sparked debate. Supporters, including Governor Ayotte and Commissioner Robert Quinn of the New Hampshire Department of Safety, say the partnership helps remove dangerous criminals and keeps communities safe. “Apprehending and removing dangerous criminals who are in the country illegally is essential for public safety,” Governor Ayotte said. Commissioner Quinn added that the agreement gives state troopers legal authority and protection, while also building stronger ties with federal agencies.

Many local law enforcement leaders agree. Several county sheriffs and police chiefs have voiced support, saying the partnership matches their priorities with those of federal law enforcement and helps keep communities safe.

However, not everyone is happy with the changes. Immigrant advocacy groups, such as those led by Eva Castillo, worry that the new partnership could lead to more racial profiling and less trust between police and immigrant communities. They point to a 2019 policy that stopped officers from detaining people suspected of being in the country illegally based only on probable cause. That policy focused on “fair and impartial” policing and was seen as a way to build trust with all residents.

Now, with the new 287(g) agreements, critics fear that local police will spend more time on federal immigration work and less on local issues. They also worry that the broad authority given to deputized officers could lead to civil rights violations, especially if there are not enough safeguards in place.

Financially, the costs of joining the 287(g) program fall on local and state taxpayers. This includes the cost of training, extra staffing, and other operational expenses. The federal government does not cover these costs. Local agencies are responsible for day-to-day operations, while ICE provides oversight and guidance.

The recruitment campaign by ICE is also raising questions. By targeting experienced officers in New Hampshire and offering big incentives, ICE hopes to quickly fill its ranks. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this approach could lead to more officers leaving local agencies for federal jobs, which may affect local policing levels.

Here’s how the process works for New Hampshire agencies involved in the 287(g) program:

• Officer Nomination: Agencies choose officers who meet the eligibility requirements.
• Training: Selected officers complete a 40-hour online course on immigration law, civil rights, and cultural issues.
• Delegated Authority: After training, officers can question, detain, and arrest people for immigration violations during routine police work.
• Transport: Deputized officers may take undocumented individuals to ICE-approved detention centers.
• Oversight: ICE oversees the program, but local agencies handle daily operations and costs.

Supporters of the expanded partnership say it helps remove dangerous criminals and aligns state and local efforts with federal immigration enforcement. Critics, however, warn that it could lead to more racial profiling, less trust in police, and a shift of local resources to federal priorities.

The recent changes also mark a reversal from the 2019 policy, which limited cooperation with ICE and focused on fair policing for all. The new approach reflects national trends under the current administration, which has made aggressive immigration enforcement a top priority.

Looking ahead, ICE’s recruitment campaign and the growing number of 287(g) agreements suggest that local-federal cooperation on immigration enforcement will likely keep expanding in New Hampshire and across the country. Advocacy groups and some local officials are watching closely for any signs of civil rights violations or damage to community trust.

For those interested in learning more about ICE careers or applying for positions, especially law enforcement professionals, official information is available at ICE Careers. The New Hampshire Department of Safety also provides updates and resources for residents and law enforcement at https://www.nh.gov/safety/.

Residents who want to share their opinions or concerns can contact local media outlets, such as InDepthNH.org, or reach out to their elected officials.

In summary, ICE is actively recruiting New Hampshire police officers and other law enforcement personnel, offering major incentives as part of a nationwide hiring campaign. New Hampshire State Police and at least a dozen local agencies have signed new 287(g) agreements with ICE in 2025, giving officers more power to enforce immigration laws. The policy shift has strong support from state officials and law enforcement leaders, but also faces criticism from immigrant advocacy groups worried about civil rights and community trust. All costs for participation are paid by local taxpayers, and oversight remains a key concern. The situation continues to develop, with more ICE recruitment and expanded partnerships expected in the coming months.