Immigration was not an issue for the New Hampshire Legislature for either legislation or debate until recently. 

In the past, immigrants moving to New Hampshire were seen as a solution to the problem of lack of workers in our large manufacturing and hospitality sectors. Immigrants by the thousands from Quebec, Ireland, Greece, Italy and many other countries ventured to Manchester to work at the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company (once the largest manufacturing facility in the world), to build railroad lines, to work in stone quarries or to work in agriculture.  Immigrants made New Hampshire the great state it is today.

Years ago, I was told by an immigrant from Hungary that more often than not immigrants who left their homeland are the most ambitious, hard-working and educated. I do not believe that has changed.

I believe there is a disturbing trend not only in New Hampshire, but also across the country that has labeled all immigrants as bad people. The most-recent data from the CATO Institute shows that the criminal conviction rate of undocumented people was 45% below those born in the United States.

This legislative session, there are no fewer than 10 bills dealing with immigration issues. Was this need to file legislation due to former Gov. Chris Sununu’s decision to send 15 New Hampshire National Guard soldiers to Texas for 90 days at a cost of $850,000 in state funds?  Or the new administration in Washington saying that so many of the immigrants are criminals?

Whatever the reason(s), the filed New Hampshire legislation that deals with immigration issues, in my opinion, is troubling. In no particular order, there is HB 112 requiring students in the university and community college system to pass the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service civics naturalization test. This bill is still in committee. 

HB 511 requires cooperation with federal immigration authorities and prohibits local government entities from adopting sanctuary policies to prohibit or impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws. This bill passed the House on a 211-161 vote. HB 458 limits local assistance (food, housing) to U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. This bill is still in committee. HB 461 requires that a driver’s license examination and related materials be in English only. This bill also passed the House on a 187-159 vote.

The above is only a small sample of the bills that have passed the House or that are in committee for further review.  The bills that have passed are headed to the New Hampshire Senate. These bills are suggesting the state has a role in immigration and how New Hampshire may treat immigrants wishing to come to our state. 

By mandating that New Hampshire aggressively cooperate with federal immigration enforcement authorities is completely contrary to the moral principles upon which the United States was founded. If we continue down this path, who will be next?

Democratic state Rep. Peter R. Leishman represents Peterborough and Sharon.