NC House passes bill saying sheriffs must now cooperate with ICE

On Tuesday, the North Carolina House passed a bill requiring sheriffs to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they cannot confirm the citizenship status of someone in their custody accused of serious felonies and violent crimes.

The bill passed 71-44 with enough support for a veto override, with two Democrats voting in support of the bill: Reps. Michael Wray, D-Northampton, and Tricia Cotham, D-Mecklenburg. Wray voted against a similar bill last year.

Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, is the lead sponsor of House Bill 10, “Require Sheriff Cooperation With ICE.” H.B. 10 is also sponsored by Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus; Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln; and Rep. Carson Smith, R-Pender.

When Hall introduced the bill, he posted a video on Twitter explaining his intent.

“It’s sad that this small number of woke Sheriffs are actively choosing to place politics above public safety,” said Hall. “Cooperating with ICE about illegal aliens charged with serious crimes in our state should be common-sense. Their decision to cut off communication with immigration officials only puts more innocent people and officers in harm’s way.”

Cooper vetoed a similar bill originating in the Senate last year, calling it a bill “about scoring political points and using fear to divide North Carolinians,” in a statement.

“North Carolina sheriffs need to act in full cooperation with federal authorities,” said Saine. “Allowing detained illegal aliens charged with serious crimes to walk free even though they have a federal deportation order against them shows a severe lack of judgment. We have seen case after case where these politically motivated policies have led to tragedies in our communities, and it has to stop.”

No Democrats supported the bill last year.

The bill, if passed, would become effective on Dec. 1, 2023.

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