KEENE — Dozens of residents filled the second-floor council chambers Monday night as Mayor Jay Kahn and the Keene City Council held a workshop to address reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city last week. The meeting drew a packed room of community members, employers and advocates seeking answers about what happened and how local authorities will respond.
Community concern over public safety and workforce impacts
Kahn confirmed that ICE activity occurred and said the meeting was called because of mounting concern and a perceived lack of accessible information for residents. “There’s generally a lack of information available to our community,” he told News 9, according to a city statement released after the meeting. He said fear and anxiety among community members and employers helped prompt the workshop.
Residents voiced a range of reactions. Some urged adherence to federal immigration statutes, while many others urged city officials to do what they can to shield families from enforcement actions, and to ensure people feel safe using local services and reporting crimes.
"There's generally a lack of information available to our community,"
Bradford “Bill” Hutchinson, speaking at the workshop, emphasized respect for federal law: "Immigration law, U.S. Immigration law is federal law. It was passed by Congress. It's very clear, it's cut and dry," he said. Other speakers described the chilling effect enforcement activity can have on immigrant neighborhoods and workplaces.
Limits on local authority highlighted by city attorney
City Attorney Amanda Palmeira used the forum to explain statutory constraints on municipal action related to immigration enforcement. She told attendees Keene is not part of a 287(g) agreement — the mechanism by which ICE can deputize local officers to assist federal immigration operations — and underscored that state and local agencies cannot legally impede ICE operations.
The explanation reiterated a familiar tension in municipalities nationwide: local officials often want to respond to residents’ concerns about federal immigration actions, but are constrained by law in how they can intervene.
Police answer questions about their role
Keene Police Chief Steven Stewart faced sustained questioning from the public about the role of the Keene Police Department when ICE is operating in the area. City documents and news reports indicate residents want assurances about whether local officers will cooperate with federal agents and what information is shared.
Officials at the meeting said they would be transparent about what they can disclose and would continue to provide updates as legally permissible.
- Officials present: Mayor Jay Kahn, City Attorney Amanda Palmeira, Police Chief Steven Stewart.
- Main public concerns: lack of information, fear among immigrant residents, potential workplace disruptions.
- Legal limits: Keene is not part of a 287(g) deputization agreement; state and local agencies cannot legally obstruct ICE operations.
What city leaders say they will do
During the meeting, city leaders acknowledged the community’s anxiety and said they would provide as much information as they legally can. They stressed the importance of community members reporting crimes and interacting with city services without fear, while also reiterating the legal constraints on local intervention in federal enforcement.
Beyond the immediate meeting, sources did not provide additional details about the timing or nature of ICE’s recent activity, nor about any arrests or enforcement outcomes. City officials repeatedly emphasized that some information is restricted by law and federal protocols.
| Official | Role at meeting | Key message |
|---|---|---|
| Jay Kahn | Mayor | Confirmed ICE activity; called meeting to address community concerns |
| Amanda Palmeira | City Attorney | Explained Keene is not part of a 287(g) agreement and legal limits on impeding ICE |
| Steven Stewart | Police Chief | Answered questions about police department’s role when ICE is present |
Community reaction and next steps
Speakers at the workshop urged officials to protect neighbors from fear that could prevent them from seeking city services or reporting crimes. One attendee, Steve Pablo Schuch of Hancock, described the personal relationships many residents have formed with immigrant families and said those neighbors are currently afraid to participate fully in community life.
City leaders said they will continue to update residents where possible and reiterated the legal framework governing federal immigration enforcement. Additional meetings or outreach were not announced at the workshop, but the overflow turnout signals sustained community interest in the issue.
Anyone with concerns related to public safety or interactions with local government was encouraged to contact city offices for guidance on available resources and protections.
— Bethany Sokolov, State Correspondent, WE NEWS
