New Hampshire activists opposed to the Trump administration’s crackdown against illegal immigrants said Tuesday they have formed a first-in-the-nation network of eight “sanctuary communities” that will surveil and report on federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in the state.

Meeting in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Concord, Maggie Fogarty of Dover, a leader in the Seacoast Interfaith Sanctuary Community, said the coalition is carrying on the Judeo-Christian tradition of promoting sanctuary as a place where the oppressed can be protected.

“We want to take back a word that has been used in a threatening way.” Fogarty said. “… We proudly reclaim the word for all its sacred meanings.”

Organizers said the campaign would not seek endorsement for the effort from municipali

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