LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – Is Lebanon, New Hampshire, no longer welcoming to its residents? It’s a fair question to ask after the city voted to repeal its “Welcoming Ordinance.”
The ordinance was established in 2020 to take a stand against discrimination in all forms. City officials say that the mission continues, despite the City Council voting 8-1 to repeal the ordinance.
“We will continue to emphasize nondiscrimination and moving away from bias,” Lebanon Mayor Doug Whittlesey said.
But the city’s Welcoming Ordinance, which put those principles of inclusivity in writing, has been repealed, largely for financial reasons.
“The new law that was passed by the state includes penalties of 25% of any state revenues allocated to the city of Lebanon,” Whittlesey said.
Back in May, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law banning “sanctuary cities” and another that encourages cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Lebanon’s ordinance, in part, banned that cooperation.
“This opens the door for communication with all federal law enforcement,” Lebanon Police Chief Phil Roberts said.
But the chief says from a policing standpoint, where fairness and compassion are emphasized, little will change. He says the department will continue to focus on protecting the local community and will not help with immigration raids that have happened nationwide. However, if local police arrest someone who is wanted by ICE, they will now be sharing that information.
“Which is a very valuable tool for us to be able to utilize when it comes to addressing public safety threats,” Roberts said.
City officials are currently working on a new welcoming ordinance that complies with state law.
“We want to show that we are being welcoming even when the state and the federal government seem to be doing their best to prevent us from doing that,” Lebanon City Councilor Devin Wilkie said.
Councilors say their main priority in doing so is protecting the most vulnerable.
“Ultimately determined that the best way to do that was to avoid painting an even bigger target on their back,” Wilkie said.
The ordinance officially becomes null and void Dec. 31, the day before the state law goes into effect.
