Immigration

signed · New Hampshire · House May 28, 2026

HB 348: relative to eligibility for local assistance.

HB 348 allows New Hampshire municipalities to require applicants for local assistance to have resided in the town or city for up to 90 days prior to applying. It mandates that local governments create written guidelines covering application processes, eligibility criteria (including acceptable residency proof like leases or utility bills), appeals, and other administrative details. The bill does not change current restrictions on cash payments for assistance. This directly affects individuals seeking local aid and gives municipalities authority to set residency requirements within the 90-day limit.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingAdds 90-day residency requirement for local assistance eligibility, restricting access to housing aid programs without expanding support.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires 90-day residency for local assistance eligibility, restricting access for new residents including immigrants who may not meet this requirement.90% confidence

failed · New Hampshire · Senate Jan 7, 2026

SB 71: relative to cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

SB 71, the "Anti-Sanctuary City Act," prohibits New Hampshire local governments (counties, municipalities, and other local entities) from blocking state or federal law enforcement from complying with federal immigration laws (Title 8 of the U.S. Code). The bill allows the state Attorney General to sue local entities that violate this law, seeking court-ordered remedies including injunctions and fines up to 25% of the local entity’s state funds from the previous fiscal year. Violations would require the Attorney General to specify the violating policy in court findings. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and does not impose direct costs on the state but may require Attorney General resources for enforcement.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, opposing sanctuary policies by enabling state lawsuits and fines for noncompliance with federal immigration laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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failed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 458: limiting local assistance to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.

HB 458 would amend New Hampshire law to require that local welfare assistance (such as aid for the poor) be provided only to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. This change directly affects individuals seeking local financial support through town welfare programs, removing eligibility for non-citizen residents. The bill modifies existing welfare law (RSA 165:1) to specify citizenship or legal residency as a requirement for receiving aid. It takes effect 60 days after passage, with potential cost reductions for municipalities as fewer people would qualify for assistance. The bill does not create new programs but changes eligibility rules for current local welfare support.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts welfare eligibility to citizens/legal residents only, directly limiting immigrant access to state assistance programs per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization

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in committee · New Hampshire · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 635: relative to taxing non-profit entities who settle illegal immigrants as for-profit entities.

HB 635 would require non-profit organizations that provide housing, legal assistance, or other support to undocumented immigrants (defined as people in the U.S. without legal status) to pay business taxes as if they were for-profit entities. It defines "settling" to include offering housing, cash, legal aid, or help applying for government benefits to undocumented immigrants. The bill also allows the state to pay whistleblowers up to 10% of the tax owed for reporting such non-profits to the Department of Revenue Administration. This primarily affects 501(c)(3) non-profits engaging in these activities, expanding the tax base to include them under the business enterprise tax.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesImposes business taxes on non-profits that previously had exemptions, increasing tax burden for entities providing immigrant support services.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill imposes business taxes on non-profits providing housing to undocumented immigrants, increasing costs and reducing affordable housing access for this vulnerable group.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationForces non-profits aiding undocumented immigrants to pay for-profit taxes, creating financial barriers to housing, legal aid, and benefits access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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passed · New Hampshire · House Jan 7, 2026

HB 452: relative to the issuance of drivers' licenses for aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire.

HB 452 modifies New Hampshire's driver's license rules for non-U.S. citizens temporarily residing in the state. It prohibits renewing licenses for non-citizens who aren't lawful permanent residents and requires new applicants to provide proof of education, employment, or driver's education. The bill also explicitly states that asylees cannot receive licenses until they obtain lawful permanent residency, regardless of prior work authorization. All licenses issued under this bill must include a specific marking indicating the holder is a nonresident alien, and the license term cannot exceed five years. This affects temporary residents including students, workers, and family members of noncitizens.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits license renewals for non-citizens without permanent residency and bars asylees from obtaining licenses until permanent residency, restricting access to state services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jul 16, 2026

HB 1062: authorizing the secretary of state to conduct random audits of the citizenship qualification of registered voters.

HB 1062 authorizes New Hampshire's Secretary of State to randomly audit the citizenship status of registered voters who provided a "qualified voter affidavit" as proof of citizenship. The bill requires using government and private databases to verify citizenship, with confirmed citizens marked in the voter database to avoid future audits. If audits suggest non-citizenship, the findings are sent to the Attorney General for review. This directly affects registered voters who used the affidavit method during registration, adding a verification step to the voter registration process. The law does not change voting eligibility but adds a new administrative check for citizenship.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationVerifies citizenship for voter eligibility, restricting non-citizen voting access through state enforcement. Directly limits immigrant participation in electoral process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization

died · New Hampshire · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1302: relative to post-arrest photograph distribution by law enforcement officers.

HB 1302 prohibits law enforcement from publicly releasing mugshots of individuals arrested for nonviolent offenses before they are convicted. This applies to all such photographs taken during arrest, with exceptions only for immediate public safety threats (e.g., locating a dangerous suspect) or when a defendant fails to appear in court after bail. The bill also specifies that these restrictions do not apply to individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., who may have mugshots released regardless of conviction status. Law enforcement must document any permitted release, including the reason and recipient. The policy aims to reduce reputational harm for unconvicted individuals while maintaining public safety exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts pre-conviction mugshot releases for nonviolent offenses, protecting defendants' rights and reducing stigma - core criminal justice reform principle.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill explicitly excludes 'unlawfully present in U.S.' from mugshot privacy protections, limiting immigrant rights as defined by immigration status.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts public release of arrest photos, enhancing data privacy protections for nonviolent offenders.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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signed · New Hampshire · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1499: relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, and reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost and making an appropriation therefor.

HB 1499 would expand eviction grounds under New Hampshire's landlord and tenant law by adding three specific conditions: (1) a tenant or occupant being unlawfully present in the U.S., (2) a recent conviction (within 3 years) for certain violent crimes or drug offenses, or (3) being a registered sexual offender under state law. This bill directly affects tenants who meet these criteria, allowing landlords to seek eviction based on these new grounds. The key provision modifies the existing statute to include these three categories as valid reasons for termination of tenancy. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage and does not require new state funding.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands eviction grounds based on criminal history (convictions, sexual offender status), directly aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator for oppose stance.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingExpands eviction grounds for vulnerable tenants (immigrants, convicted individuals), directly weakening tenant protections under housing law.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationExpands eviction grounds for tenants unlawfully present in U.S., restricting housing access for undocumented immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

failed · New Hampshire · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 1706: repealing the refugee resettlement program in the department of health and human services and prohibiting expenditure of state funds on refugee resettlement.

HB 1706 repeals New Hampshire's state-administered refugee resettlement program and prohibits state agencies from using state funds for refugee resettlement activities. The bill specifically requires the Department of Health and Human Services to terminate existing contracts related to refugee resettlement (such as the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program) and bans all state spending - directly or indirectly - on resettlement efforts. It does not affect federal refugee programs or funds, as the state's involvement was limited to administering approximately $4.5 million annually in federal funds. The bill applies solely to state government actions and has no impact on existing refugee services or federal programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds state refugee resettlement program by prohibiting all state fund expenditure on resettlement activities, restricting government spending as explicitly stated in bill's language.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationDefunds state refugee resettlement program, restricting immigrant services and prohibiting state funding for resettlement activities per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Refugees & Asylum

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failed · New Hampshire · House Mar 13, 2026

HB 1561: prohibiting nationals of the People's Republic of China from enrollment in masters and doctorate degree programs, participation in research, and full time employment at public institutions of higher education.

HB 1561 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from the People's Republic of China (PRC nationals, including those with ties to PRC government entities) from attending New Hampshire's accredited public and private colleges and universities. It requires institutions to obtain notarized affidavits from all applicants and students confirming they are not PRC nationals, with affected individuals given 90 days to voluntarily withdraw after the law takes effect. Institutions failing to comply face daily $1,000 fines, while PRC nationals who refuse to withdraw face mandatory expulsion and potential federal referral. Violations by individuals or staff are classified as class A misdemeanors.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts educational access for PRC nationals at higher education institutions, directly limiting enrollment eligibility per bill's prohibition on attendance.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts access to higher education for PRC nationals, directly limiting immigrant services as defined by the topic.90% confidence

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