New Hampshire Public Universities Face Scrutiny Over Admission of Undocumented Students

CONCORD, N.H. — After uncovering that New Hampshire’s public universities denied admission to more than 2,450 New Hampshire residents over the past four years, while admitting hundreds of international students, Rep. Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) is taking his investigation a step further.

Sweeney announced Monday that he has filed a second Right-to-Know request demanding the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) disclose how many undocumented, DACA, and other non-citizen students are currently enrolled at its institutions.

The move follows USNH’s April 26 response to Sweeney’s initial request, which revealed that institutions such as the University of New Hampshire (UNH), Keene State College and Plymouth State University sent thousands of rejection letters to Granite State applicants between 2021 and 2024​. At the same time, USNH institutions admitted and enrolled hundreds of international students​.

Rep Sweeney RTK response 4-26-25.pdf

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Sweeney’s new filing points to additional concerns uncovered through public records, including documents showing that UNH actively encourages applications from undocumented and DACA recipients. UNH’s admissions website states that it "encourages the application and enrollment of undocumented students and students granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)"​—a policy that was not disclosed in USNH’s original response.

"New Hampshire taxpayers deserve to know who their tax dollars are supporting," Sweeney said. "Our public universities must prioritize New Hampshire students — not international applicants or undocumented illegal aliens."

Demand for Full Transparency

In his follow-up request, Sweeney is specifically asking for enrollment numbers broken down by category: DACA recipients, undocumented students, and other eligible non-citizens as defined under federal financial aid guidelines​.

The request applies to all USNH institutions, including UNH’s Durham and Manchester campuses, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, and the College of Professional Studies.

Sweeney's investigation puts a spotlight on growing concerns that New Hampshire’s public universities are diverting limited taxpayer-supported resources toward individuals with no legal status, even while many qualified New Hampshire students are being denied access to their own state-funded institutions.

According to the Common Data Set submitted by UNH for 2023–2024, the university's publicly reported counts of international students specifically exclude undocumented and DACA students​, meaning the true number of non-citizen enrollees receiving the benefits of state-funded resources may be even higher.

USNH 2023-2024 Common Data Set.pdf

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Political Pressure Mounts

Sweeney’s latest move adds pressure on USNH at a time when lawmakers are increasingly scrutinizing whether public dollars are serving the state’s own families first. Critics argue that institutions designed to provide affordable, accessible education for New Hampshire students are now admitting and supporting individuals who may not have lawful immigration status — all while leaving hundreds of Granite State applicants without seats.

Sweeney has pledged to continue pressing the issue until full transparency is achieved.

"I will keep fighting to ensure accountability and fairness for our families, and ensure that Granite Staters are put first," Sweeney said.

Under state law, USNH is required to respond to Sweeney’s latest Right-to-Know request within five business days.

The results of that response could fuel further legislative action as Republican lawmakers eye reforms to admissions policies, financial aid distribution, and public university accountability across New Hampshire.