HB1706

As a long term health care provider, I know the dependance on staffing of those here from another country, particularly in long term care facilitiesl

At a time like this, when the administration is rushing to deport immigrants without so much as a warrant to do so, the least we should do is support the individuals they target to ensure they are able to proceed safely home. Who in their right mind thinks it's respectful to take this right away from those that deserve to be safe, and to not let citizens support them if they choose? Are we now going to be told who we can bring soup to in times of need?? Please be pro-human. If you want to be a monster, do it on your own time. Don't make others follow your lead.

We need to support refugee resettlement! This is a very important and humanitarian program. The funds supporting it come from the Federal Gov't. There is no tax saving to NH.

You have heard compelling testimony against HB 1706. Community-minded individuals from across the state have expressed their moral opposition to this bill. Our state is populated by many individuals who have come from other stock -- from elsewhere in the North American continent, from numerous European countries and also from Asia, Africa, Central and South America. Many initially sought refuge. My family came from Germany and Ireland. What about YOURS? Such refuge-seekers and their descendants make up the vibrant fabric that is New Hampshire. The contribute mightily to the public good. Individuals involved in refugee resettlement programs face STRINGENT and lengthy vetting. Supporters of HB 1706 don't want the public to understand that fact. I believe there is no rational reason other than "I simply don't like 'the other' or skin tones that differ from mine to be in my midst" for such legislation. As a Christian Pastor, I can affirm that the stories that make up the Bible are stories of refugee peoples. Welcoming the refugee is, quite frankly, a religious calling as well as a community good. Numerous religious leaders, including the Pope, are absolutely eloquent on this topic. This bill is NOT about safety, despite what any supporter may claim. It is about exclusion, about wanting to profoundly narrow who New Hampshire will "let in." Please don't let this be the message from your committee. Please add HB 1706 to the dustbin of "inexpedient to legislate." Thank you!

This bill aims to outlaw state-level refugee assistance. We should not be obscuring legal immigration paths of any kind, least of all those paths which help people fleeing from oppressive conditions in their homeland

America is a nation built on immigrants. If we truly were to not allow immigrants to live here, you and I both would have to be 'sent back,' because the only true Americans are the native Americans. Let's continue to allow cultural diversity in our state and let's be a place of refuge, support and inclusion vs. one of exclusion and harshness. Let us be the kid in the lunchroom that says to the new kid, 'hey, come sit here. There's room for you' instead of the bully that teases and torments the new kid. Please listen to your heart. Monique, Goffstown

I am against this bill. I think we should be helping the refugees.

Dear Honorable Members of the New Hampshire State House, I am writing to respectfully oppose HB 1706. This bill would eliminate New Hampshire’s refugee resettlement program and prohibit state funds from supporting it. While this may sound like it would save money, most refugee resettlement funding actually comes from federal sources, especially through the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement. The state’s role is mainly to coordinate those funds so refugees can quickly find work, learn English, and become self-sufficient. Refugees are legally admitted and allowed to live in any state under federal law. This bill would not stop that. It would only remove the coordination that helps them succeed. Without that structure, costs and challenges do not disappear — they often shift to local communities, hospitals, and schools instead of being supported through existing federal programs. HB 1706 also mirrors parts of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan, which calls for reducing government involvement and public funding in refugee resettlement and shifting responsibility away from state systems. This bill follows that same model by removing New Hampshire’s role entirely. New Hampshire currently faces workforce shortages, and many refugees fill critical roles in healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries. With proper coordination, they become taxpayers, workers, and community members. This issue is not just about policy — it is about who we are as a state. Removing support does not stop people from coming. It only makes it harder for them to succeed and contribute. For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to oppose HB 1706. Thank you for your time and service. Sincerely, Kim Lawrence Resident of New Hampshire

Immigrants are what makes this country great. This bill needlessly pulls that support for a population that will continue to make America great. They will bring much needed resources into our workforce that will both are our economy. New Hampshire is a aging State. We need to build our workforce not discourage it

NH would be so much less without our refugee communities. Variety is the spice of life. Who wants to live in a 98 to 99% white community? I don't. I feel more comfortable and enjoy people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

Refugees deserve a place to live and we should welcome them into our state, it is the American way.

I oppose this legislation.

This nation was founded by refugees fleeing persecution in England. It is hypocritical of us to stop welcoming refugees. I'm so tired of this state becoming more and more callous towards people who are suffering. We all can see that society is faltering. We will only get through these trying times by building community, both with people who have lived here their whole lives and those who come from afar. Diversity is strength, and refugees bring skills and knowledge that can help everyone. I'm told we are a Christian nation, and Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors, and take care of the needy. If we turn our backs on refugees, Jesus says we turn our backs on him. As you do unto the least of them, you do unto me, or however your preferred version phrases Matthew 25: 40-45.

Our country and our state need to continue to support refugees escaping terrible conditions in their homelands. Refugees eventually contribute to our local economies and workforce—in addition to enriching our population with different experiences and visions— so they need to have the support necessary from our state. Refugees need initial support and come to be beneficial to our communities, so I urge you to vote against this bill.

If passed, NH would turn down more than $4 million in federal funds — not because the funding is wasteful, but because some legislators object to the idea of refugees living in New Hampshire. That funding supports time-limited services for refugees and other lawful immigrants, including employment assistance, English instruction and citizenship prep, and help navigating housing and healthcare. It is NOT used for rental assistance or direct cash payments. The goal is rapid self-sufficiency. If passed, this bill will harm nonprofit agencies and the work they do to help people rebuild their lives. As an American and a New Hampshire resident, I oppose this bill. It is contrary to our values, which include being a good neighbor. The funding and the activities it supports allows us, collectively, to be good neighbors. All of us have the responsibility to be good neighbors.

My father was an immigrant in 1951 to the US. Not helping immigrants settle and become economically stable in our state with federal dollars doesn't make sense. I cannot imagine what would have happened if my father had not been allowed in the US. He passed through Ellis Island and won the Medal of Honor for his country in 1986. If we can't understand the benefit of refugees and immigrants to our country we have lost what it means to be American. What a sad day.

I oppose this bill and ask you to please vote it ITL. Below are my reasons. Thank you for your time. The fiscal note for HB 1706 says the approximately $4.5 million per year ($13.5 million total) in funding for the Refugee Resettlement Program is 100% Federal. There are no State dollars going into this program. Rather than imposing a burden on New Hampshire, this represents money coming into the New Hampshire economy. Further, the purpose of the refugee program, as reported on the NH DHHS web pages is “is to assist refugees in their quest for economic self-sufficiency and successful integration as soon as possible following arrival.” Again, this sound less of a burden on our State and more a contribution to our communities and economy. According to NH DHHS, since 1980, there have been only 7,500 refugees settled in NH. That is an average of 177 people a year. I hope and believe that we can find room in our State for these few folks who have lost everything and need a helping hand. I found the following on the NH DHHS web pages and found it helpful in thinking about this program: “Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their home countries due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Persecution may include physical violence, harassment, wrongful arrest, and threats. Refugees often take with them only what they have time to pack, only what they can carry. Sometimes all they have left are their hopes, dreams, and the will to survive. Since the early 1980s, more than 7,500 refugees have made New Hampshire their home. Refugees have greatly contributed to our state and local communities. Through their hard work, they have strengthened our economy, and their presence has enriched the cultural diversity of New Hampshire. Refugees come to New Hampshire from more than 30 nations and represent a diverse group of ethnic minorities. Refugees typically find employment within the first few months of arrival and actively participate in their respective communities. Refugees are eligible to start the naturalization process within five years after their arrival.”

This Bill will hurt our state.

While I oppose the US and NH acting like a white savior to the whole world while our own citizens sleep outside and go without medical care, I cannot support the idea of refusing federal funds just because they help people who aren’t from here. I am also opposed to using “low wage worker” as an insult to people working essential jobs, especially when the “low wage” is higher than our current minimum wage. That low wage is determined by the employers not the employees. It’s also interesting to see the “spreading disease” argument used by people who are against vaccines. These inconsistency makes it seem like the motivation for this bill is bigotry and not actual concern for the citizens of NH. But we have no business offering subsidized housing to refugees when our own taxpaying and/or disabled citizens are homeless and suffering.