MANCHESTER, N.H.- New documents obtained by the ACLU of New Hampshire show the federal government’s plans for an ICE detainment facility Merrimack are further along than many had thought including Governor Kelly Ayotte.

According to documents from the state’s Division of Historical Resources, officials from the Department of Homeland Security inquired about the renovation and eventual occupation of an existing building at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway.

However, it appears the communication between state and local officials occurred without Governor Ayotte’s knowledge. When asked why the matter wasn’t shared with the Governor’s office, Sarah Stewart, commissioner of Natural and Cultural Resources, says she wasn’t notified either but released a statement saying “I, as Commissioner, take full responsibility for this failure of process within my agency.”

Following this news Governor Kelly Ayotte issued a statement to WMUR-TV saying, “It is entirely unacceptable that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources failed to share this information with the governor’s office. Clearly, the Department of Homeland Security is actively pursuing the use of this property without communicating with all stakeholders. We will continue to insist on transparency and communication from the Department of Homeland Security with officials in Merrimack concerning this proposed facility.”

However local to an ICE facility remains bipartisan, as State Sen. Tim McGough, R-Merrimack says the proposed “Boston Processing Center” should not be in his town.