When Immigration Enforcement Becomes a Public Health Issue
The New Hampshire Public Health Association (NHPHA) is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of federal immigration enforcement activities across the country — including operations in Minnesota and, until recently, neighboring Maine — and the serious consequences these actions have for public trust, community safety, and public health.
Public health depends on trust. When people trust public institutions, they are more likely to seek health care, report concerns, engage with services, and participate in community life. When that trust is broken, the consequences extend far beyond individual encounters and ripple across entire communities.
Recent federal enforcement actions have raised alarm not only because of their scale, but because of their impact. In Minnesota, multiple fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents — including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti — have intensified public scrutiny. These deaths account for two of the eight people who have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody so far in 2026. Incidents like these, combined with limited transparency and accountability, have undermined confidence nationwide in law enforcement’s ability to protect human life while maintaining public safety.
From a public health perspective, aggressive enforcement tactics have well-documented effects. Fear, anxiety, and trauma increase. People withdraw from public spaces. Families avoid routine activities. Individuals delay or avoid seeking health care, reporting crimes, or accessing social services. These outcomes are not incidental — they are predictable and preventable.
The recent enforcement surge in Maine illustrates this dynamic clearly: Although large-scale operations have now ended, the effects remain. Hundreds of individuals were detained, and immigrant communities experienced widespread fear and disruption. Even after enforcement activity subsided, many residents continued to avoid medical appointments, schools, workplaces, and civic engagement. The chilling effect on community life does not disappear when the vans leave.
“Public health is about creating and protecting the conditions in which people can live, work, and participate in their communities without fear,” said NHPHA Executive Director Tory Jennison, PhD, RN. When enforcement actions create fear rather than safety, they directly conflict with that goal.
Trust is not a secondary concern in public health — it is foundational. When communities fear law enforcement, longstanding relationships between residents, health care providers, public health workers, and emergency responders begin to fracture. This erosion makes it harder to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, address chronic health conditions, support mental health, and promote preventive care. Immigrant and refugee communities, who already face structural barriers to care, are especially affected.
NHPHA urges federal, state, and local leaders to recognize that immigration enforcement practices have real and measurable public health consequences. Protecting community well-being requires:
Transparent and accountable investigations into all use-of-force incidents involving federal agents, with meaningful community oversight.
Clear assurances — particularly from New Hampshire law enforcement agencies that partner with federal authorities — that enforcement activities will not interfere with access to health care, education, or other essential services.
De-escalation protocols that prioritize human life, safety, and dignity alongside legal responsibilities.
Engagement with public health professionals before, during, and after enforcement actions to mitigate harm and preserve trust.
Public safety and public health are not opposing goals. Policies that rely on fear and force ultimately weaken both. Communities are safer and healthier when people trust institutions enough to seek help, share information, and participate openly in civic life.
NHPHA stands ready to work with public officials, health systems, community organizations, and residents to protect public health, strengthen trust, and uphold the dignity and safety of every person in New Hampshire.