Senate Passes ICE Bill, Gives New Enforcement Authority to Attorney General
Bill requires sheriffs to work with ICE when dangerous illegal immigrants are arrested
New provision directs Attorney General to seek court order if a sheriff doesn’t comply
Raleigh, N.C. — Today, the North Carolina Senate approved House Bill 10, “Require Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE.”
House Bill 10 requires North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities when a suspected illegal immigrant is in custody for committing a violent crime. A new provision of the bill allows any person, including a federal agency, to file a complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General alleging a sheriff failed to comply with the provisions of this bill. The Attorney General can then seek a court order to enforce the law against sanctuary sheriffs.
“House Bill 10 is commonsense legislation that will help authorities deport those who illegally cross the border and commit heinous crimes,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) said. “The question now is whether Attorney General Stein will support the bill and new enforcement authority, or continue to run from the issue.”
Polling shows that the majority of Americans support mass deportations of immigrants who are in the country illegally, including 42% of Democrats. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say illegal immigration is a real crisis and not a media-driven narrative.
“Americans are in disbelief at the southern border crisis, and we cannot sit back as our communities continue to be put at risk,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (R-Robeson) said. “The Attorney General must commit to acting on the powers granted to him in House Bill 10 and help fight the border crisis.”
In North Carolina, there have been several examples of ICE detainers being ignored, resulting in the release of dangerous noncitizens. WBTV reported in 2019 that nearly 500 undocumented immigrants had been released from North Carolina jails despite ICE detainers.
“President Biden’s open border policy has led to a massive influx of noncitizens into our country,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said. “Working with ICE is one of the few tools we have at our disposal. We need all hands on deck, including a willing Attorney General who isn’t afraid to turn over dangerous illegal immigrants.”
House Bill 10 now heads to the North Carolina House for a concurrence vote.
