2 days ago
NC lawmakers approve ICE measure, sending issue to governor
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Tuesday, the North Carolina General Assembly approved a measure that would require several state agencies to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The bill now goes to Governor Josh Stein, who could sign or reject the measure.
The bill requires the State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the N.C. Department of Adult Corrections to enter into agreements with ICE.
Protesters gathered outside the legislative building as lawmakers prepared to vote Tuesday.
About 35 protesters, wearing green, and carrying signs urged North Carolina senators not to pass Senate bill 153, which requires the SBI, Highway patrol, Department of Public Safety, and Department of Adult Corrections, to enter into agreements with ICE and have employees, trained by ICE, determine if anyone in their custody is not authorized to be in the country.
The bill also orders the state to ensure those in the country illegally will not receive benefits like housing assistance, Medicaid, or unemployment and says cities or towns that adopt sanctuary ordinances can be sued if someone who is not documented commits a crime.
The measure also orders that colleges in the UNC system must follow immigration laws.
Dr. Misti Nicole Harper urged lawmakers to consider the consequences.
'I beg them to look around their communities and really think about what it's going to do to target Black, Brown, and working-class folks and really think about how their lives are about to be affected,' Harper said.
Senator Phil Berger, President Pro Tempore of the NC Senate responded.
'Tell the community that we have certain laws. If they disagree with what those laws are and they are federal laws, then they need to work to have those federal laws changed.'
The Senate voted to send that bill to the governor.
The Senate also passed HB 318. It would expand the list of charges that would require law enforcement to determine someone's citizenship status and to notify ICE immediately if that status is in question.
That bill heads back to the House.
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