Story perspectives

Governor Ayotte Under Fire Over Immigrant Detention Center

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte faces scrutiny over knowledge of a proposed Merrimack immigrant detention center.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons testified that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) communicated with Ayotte about the facility before she acknowledged it.
Ayotte denied this, citing a lack of transparency from federal officials.
The controversy led to the resignation of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources commissioner.

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Story summary

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte faces scrutiny over knowledge of a proposed Merrimack immigrant detention center.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons testified that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) communicated with Ayotte about the facility before she acknowledged it.
Ayotte denied this, citing a lack of transparency from federal officials.
The controversy led to the resignation of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources commissioner.