Statement on Veto of Bill Requiring Sheriffs to Cooperate with ICE

Raleigh, N.C. — Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) released the following statement on Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 101, which would require North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities when dealing with suspected illegal immigrants already in jail for committing a violent crime:

“With the stroke of his pen, Gov. Cooper just gave Sanctuary Sheriffs permission to shield an illegal immigrant who rapes or murders a North Carolinian. Keeping violent criminals off our streets should be a shared priority, but this veto proves that Gov. Cooper isn’t interested in increasing public safety if it goes against his liberal donors’ wishes.”

Here are a few examples of the dangers posed by sanctuary city policies:

• WBTV: ICE: Nearly 500 undocumented immigrants released from NC jails despite detainer
• Charlotte Observer: Convicted child molester released by NC sheriff who says ICE didn’t get a warrant
• WBTV: ICE arrests fugitive on rape charges in NC after prior release in Mecklenburg County
• News and Observer: Inmate wanted by ICE is prematurely released from Wake County Jail, then recaptured
• Charlotte Observer: Inmate was released from Mecklenburg jail despite ICE detainer. He ended up in a standoff