HB438

No one should be profiting off the imprisonment of any individual, regardless of the reasoning. Even more so with the detention of immigrants. These are our neighbors, and they deserve dignity and to be treated with respect. The Constitution of the United States outlines the Civil Rights granted to everyone, even prisoners, and those should not ever be violated. Anyone who violates the civil rights of another should be held personally responsible.

This bill fulfills two important goals. First, crucial government functions must not be run for profit, or else there is a financial incentive for the outside contractors to milk the system. Second, and more importantly, we must hold every individual government employee responsible for protecting civil rights, especially at a time when the federal government is actively promising to violate due process and civil rights, including by detaining and deporting American citizens.

There should be no for-profit immigrant detention facilities in New Hampshire. I strongly oppose this as a matter of human rights. Concentration camps are already a reality in the present day, we will not tolerate such hatred here.

I support this bill because it ensures that immigrant detainees are treated with dignity and fairness, protecting their rights to legal representation, medical care, and freedom from harassment. By prohibiting private, for-profit detention contracts, the bill prevents the exploitation of individuals in civil immigration proceedings for financial gain. It also ensures that detention conditions meet the standards of the 2011 ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards, safeguarding humane treatment. Furthermore, it limits the use of the National Guard for immigration-related activities without the approval of the executive council, providing greater oversight and accountability.