O P I N I O N
THE SOAPBOX
Stand up. Speak up. It’s your turn.
Attend the Police Commissioners Meeting April 8, 7 p.m.
In continuing efforts to advocate for withdrawing Auburn’s partnership with ICE, residents push for clarification and scope of work. Urging that public safety and trust needs to be a priority for the Police Commission and the chief of police, a committee of Auburn residents form a culture of neighborly love and steadfast dedication to the heart and soul of what makes Auburn one of the best places to live in the Granite State.
Every month a diverse group of people from all walks of life and varying ages come together to share food, drink, knowledge and stories. They are building momentum and a foundation to preserve the tranquil and collaborative lives they’ve all come to know and love and have dedicated years to building in the town.
Strangely, as of January 6, 2026 Auburn Police Chief Chip Cabot signed an agreement with the Department of Customs and Immigration (ICE) to integrate their 287(g) programming. Whether Cabot meant to be ironic or it was truly a coincidence to sign the agreement on a day we acknowledge each year as an attack on our democracy, it was done without the town’s notice and with a complete disregard to the safety and trust of its people.
287(g) is a program which ‘entangles local and state law enforcement and correctional institutions in the complexities of federal immigration law (from a letter drafted by the NH Immigrant Rights Network, 2026).’ Further, ‘most of the costs of Auburn’s participation in the 287(g) program will be borne by Auburn’s taxpayers. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides the training and some technical equipment; Auburn taxpayers will fund employee salary costs, including any overtime; transport expenses; and the many other costs associated with involvement in the 287 (g) program.’
This recent partnership has many Auburn residents asking themselves, what motivated the decision and was Auburn ever in jeopardy- warranting such drastic actions from Cabot.
Many of the community members of color- those of Black, Hispanic, Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds feel uneasy in their own neighborhoods and describe the state of panic their bodies experience each time they see a police car or see the chief in town; whether at the voting poles or in public meetings. A few of the individuals involved in the group have started to carry their passports with them stating that with such drastic measures taken by the police chief, they are worried about the extent of Auburn PD’s potential breach of conduct. Community members who own small businesses stress that their employee’s safety is at risk as well as noting that clients of color are more apprehensive regarding coming to Auburn and so the signing of the 287(g) memorandum, additionally, threatens the revenue of our town’s small businesses.
The work of the group is a simple one, one in which most towns and cities in New Hampshire have and strive for; a trusting and mutually beneficial relationship with their police department. One which champions respect and transparency.
Join the crew on April 8th at 7 p.m. to aid in the efforts of removing big government from Auburn.
If you have time, attend the Neighborhood Watch meeting on April 16th from 6-8pm. This is another program being bolstered by the police department. It is imperative that the town create norms of accountability and oversight on all entities which fall under the purview of Auburn community members whose tax dollars fund the individuals therein; this doesn’t just mean hyper focusing on Town Hall, the Fire Department, AVS (Auburn Village School) or the library, but the police commission and the actions taken by the Police Department which jeopardizes the safety of Auburn’s residents and their businesses.