General Assembly passes legislation cracking down on illegal immigration in North Carolina, bills head to Governor’s desk
Today, the North Carolina Senate passed HB 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, and concurred with SB 153, the North Carolina Border Protection Act. The legislation passed on a party-line vote in the Republican-controlled chamber. The House concurred with the Senate on House Bill 318 this evening. Both pieces of legislation now head to Governor Stein for either his approval or veto.
Here is what the legislation does:
Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act: This legislation increases the cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The legislation works to end dangerous catch and release policies, where local law enforcement arrest an illegal alien for committing a crime, then release them back into the community.
North Carolina Border Protection Act: The legislation requires state law enforcement to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. State agencies like the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services are required to ensure applicants for public benefits are legal residents of the United States. Finally, the legislation increases the liability for municipalities that enact sanctuary city policies to defy immigration enforcement.
What They Are Saying:
“Holding Sanctuary Cities accountable for their disregard of public safety will bring peace of mind to North Carolinians,” Senate Bill 153 sponsor Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) said. “We cannot have safe communities if elected officials are openly flouting state laws to earn political clout.”
Senate Bill 153 sponsor Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said, “President Trump is taking border protection seriously, and North Carolina needs to match those efforts. The North Carolina Border Protection Act will allow for immediate action that will be positively felt across the state.”
Rep. Brenden Jones said, “Proud to announce that HB 318 the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act has officially passed the NC Senate and is about to be sitting on the governors desk! HB 318 ensures that dangerous illegal aliens are transferred to ICE and not released back into our communities!”
Buncombe-area lawmakers Rep. Lindsey Parther, Sen. Julie Mayfield, Rep. Brian Turner, and Rep. Ager, all Democrats, voted against the legislation. Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, Rep. Jake Johnson, and Sen. Tim Moffitt support the legislation.
Tim’s Take: Governor Stein faces the choice of approving or vetoing the legislation. The problem for Stein is that these policies are broadly popular with North Carolinians but repulsive to progressive activists. If Stein vetoes the legislation, North Carolina Republicans will work overtime to flip one Democrat in the N.C. House to override this veto. That means Democrats will stay in the news defending an issue that is deeply unpopular with voters. There is a chance that Stein will simply let the legislation become law without his signature, effectively ducking the issue.
