Latest news with #HB-10
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Missed opportunity': ICE's Charlotte operation sparks tension with sheriff over alleged lack of communication
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The recent ICE operation that led to the arrest of 24 undocumented immigrants is highlighting the strained relationship between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. At the center of the controversy is Sheriff Garry McFadden, who claims ICE is not only sidestepping his office but also misrepresenting the role of the MCSO in these arrests. According to ICE, six of the 24 individuals detained had active 'detainers,' requests to hold them in custody beyond a judge's order. But Sheriff McFadden, citing his duty to uphold the law, refutes this claim, saying that ICE is misleading the public by blaming MCSO for not taking action that would be illegal. PREVIOUS: Meck County Sheriff responds to claims department failed to hold undocumented immigrants on detainers 'My duty is to uphold the law and the Constitution, not to act outside of my legal authority at the request of a federal agency that refuses to follow proper procedures,' McFadden said. Despite attempts to communicate with ICE about these arrests, McFadden claims he has been met with a wall of silence. The sheriff went so far, on Tuesday, as to outline the timeline of his office's communication efforts with ICE. On March 18, McFadden says he emailed the Atlantic Field Chief of Staff of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), requesting clarification on the agency's stance regarding House Bill 10 (HB-10). This bill allows local law enforcement to hold undocumented immigrants for an additional 48 hours for ICE, but the sheriff says he was looking for clearer guidance on how many people were being held under this provision and at what cost to taxpayers. McFadden says he never received a response. PREVIOUS: ICE, Norfolk Southern police arrest migrants along Charlotte railroad tracks On March 19, McFadden's Public Information Officer, Sarah Mastouri, reportedly sent a follow-up email to the Media Operations Unit Chief for the Southeast region of ICE. After a brief exchange, the Chief declined to provide any information, citing privacy laws, and directed the Sheriff's office to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request instead. When Mastouri requested an update, she reportedly received the same response. By March 20, McFadden says he made phone calls to both the Media Operations Unit and the ERO Atlanta Field Office Director. However, McFadden claims that the Media Operations Unit Chief refused to share the names of the detainees and failed to follow up on his promise to connect McFadden with someone who could. When McFadden called the Field Office Director, he left a voicemail and said he never heard back. Of the 24 people recently arrested in Mecklenburg County, McFadden openly asked: How many of them have been federally charged or indicted? 'If these individuals are as dangerous as ICE suggests, why have no federal charges been filed?' McFadden asked, adding that Mecklenburg County has nearly 12,000 outstanding criminal warrants – many for violent offenses. ICE continues to focus its efforts on civil immigration violations, McFadden argued, while failing to follow the legal procedures to bring these individuals into federal custody. 'There's nothing outstanding about these 24 undocumented immigrants. They have civil warrants, which are something law enforcement deals with every day,' McFadden said. 'If ICE believes they pose a serious threat, they should be filing the necessary federal charges to ensure they are prosecuted.' The alleged lack of communication and transparency between ICE and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office continues. As McFadden sees it, the situation reflects a broader failure to prioritize public safety and follow proper legal 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sheriff responds after proposed bill would require ICE notification before release
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Gary McFadden is blasting immigration legislation lawmakers, stating on Thursday they introduced it because of him. House Bill 318 was introduced on Wednesday by North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall. It would require sheriffs to notify federal immigration authorities before they release someone at the request of the officials. The bill will try to address the issue with House Bill 10, which only 'requests' that ICE is called and not required. The new bill would allow the detainer to take effect when the person is about to be released, not when they are booked in jail. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: NC House Speaker says changes to HB10 possible after disagreements between ICE and MCSO McFadden said in his statement that he expected this bill was coming and shared thoughts on the proposed legislation. 'After reviewing the initial draft of HB-10 a few months ago, I anticipated that Speaker Hall and others in Raleigh would introduce additional amendments and new bills to address the gaps I identified,' he said. 'Instead of continually revising immigration legislation year after year, why not develop a more comprehensive immigration reform bill? As we've seen numerous times, deportation alone is failing. Rushed and poorly conceived broad proposals, drafted without input from local sheriffs who are actively engaged in immigration, crime, and social justice matters, fail to produce effective solutions or foster real community engagement, the statement read further. McFadden said that if the bill becomes law, he will indeed follow it. 'Again, without meaningful collaboration, communication, and cooperation, I'll be left waiting until the bill becomes law—only to point out the same kinds of gaps I identified in HB-10. HB 318 is not law yet and when it becomes law, I will follow that law and continue to cooperate with ICE,' McFadden said. 'We all say that we are fighting for safe communities. I have been fighting for this cause for four decades, but we must respect each other's opinions and put party affiliation and politics to the side.' (WATCH BELOW: DOGE cuts could affect USGS, EPA offices in Charlotte)
