State House leaders filed legislation on Wednesday to require North Carolina Sheriffs to cooperate with federal officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking to serve detainers on suspected illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes in North Carolina.
House Bill 10, “Require Sheriff Cooperation With ICE” is sponsored by Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus) Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln), and Rep. Carson Smith (R-Pender).
A small number of Sheriffs in North Carolina have completely stopped cooperating with ICE regarding illegal aliens who have been charged with serious crimes in our state. HB10 would compel Sheriffs in North Carolina to communicate with ICE to ascertain the status of any individual in the custody of the Sheriff who has been charged with a serious crime and whose citizenship or immigration status cannot be determined. If the Sheriff or holding facility administrator is notified that an immigration detainer has been issued against that individual, the Sheriff or administrator must hold the individual for no less than 48 hours to give ICE an opportunity to assume custody of that individual.
HB10 also requires annual reports by holding facilities which will include pertinent information related to the regularity and outcomes of the requirements stipulated in this legislation.
HB10’s parent legislation was originally filed by the current sponsors in 2019, and a subsequent version of the bill was also filed in the Senate in the 2021-2022 legislative session. Each of the prior attempts to pass this legislation were vetoed by Roy Cooper.
“It’s sad that this small number of woke Sheriffs are actively choosing to place politics above public safety. Cooperating with ICE about illegal aliens charged with serious crimes in our state should be common-sense.” Rep. Hall said. “Their decision to cut off communication with immigration officials only puts more innocent people and officers in harm’s way.”
“North Carolina Sheriffs need to act in full cooperation with federal authorities. 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.” Stated Rep. Jason Saine.
Rep. Brenden Jones commented "This bill is a common-sense safety measure to protect our citizens from nefarious criminals. How can a few Sheriffs hold North Carolina citizens to a higher level of accountability than a none US citizen committing the exact same horrific crime?"