Latest news with #NorthCarolinaBorderProtectionAct
Axios
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
With primary looming, Phil Berger puts his name on the line
Just two and a half months into North Carolina's legislative session, the state's most powerful Republican, Senate leader Phil Berger, is the lead sponsor on seven bills — the most he's spearheaded since he rose to power 14 years ago. Why it matters: Berger has long wielded power behind the scenes. One of his key strengths lies in his ability to keep Senate Republicans in lockstep and on-message, presenting a united front regardless of any disagreements happening behind closed doors. This year, however, Berger's muscle is more obvious, driven at least in part by the fact that he could be facing a formidable primary challenge next year. Catch up quick: Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, a longtime political rival of Berger's, told The News & Observer in February that he plans to challenge Berger in 2026. Page, who has been sheriff in Berger's home county since 1998, was a key opponent of the senator's push to legalize non-tribal casinos in the state in 2023, which sparked outrage in his district and across the state. Page has also long been a champion of controversial immigration tactics — an issue that's energized the GOP base in recent years. Berger filed legislation called the "North Carolina Border Protection Act" less than two weeks after Page's announcement. It passed the Senate a week later. Driving the news: Since then, Berger has unveiled two other bills, one of which would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education. The other would grant the state auditor more Department of Government Efficiency -like power over state government. Both glided through committee hearings and passed the Senate floor. All but two other bills Berger is the lead sponsor on have done the same. The big picture: Most — if not all — of the legislation Berger has signed onto aligns with the Republican Party's priorities under the Trump administration, like cutting government jobs, cracking down on illegal immigration and eliminating DEI. Between the lines: It's likely the bills Berger is spearheading would pass the Republican-majority legislature regardless of whether he put his name on them, but the sheer number of bills he's leading the charge on has been a frequent topic of conversation among keen political observers. The intrigue: The last time Berger was the first primary sponsor on more than seven bills was the 2009-2010 legislative session, when Republicans were still in the minority. He was the lead sponsor on 39 bills that year.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC Senate committee approves 'Border Protection Act' targeting unauthorized immigrants
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service Processing Center in El Centro, Calif. (Stock photo by) A North Carolina Senate committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would require state law enforcement agencies to cooperate more closely with federal immigration authorities. The Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee voted to give a favorable report to Senate Bill 153, the 'North Carolina Border Protection Act,' sending the bill to the Rules Committee. The bill, cosponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, would require that state agencies like the Department of Public Safety and Highway Patrol enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist with immigration enforcement. It would also require state law enforcement agencies to determine the immigration status of anyone in their custody. The bill also includes a provision directing the state budget office to audit public benefit programs to ensure they are not providing services to undocumented immigrants, despite federal law that already bars participation by undocumented individuals. Durham Democratic Senator Sophia Chitlik raised concerns that the benefit provision could have a 'disproportionate impact' on children in mixed-status families where some members are U.S. citizens, calling on the committee to remove the section on auditing public benefits. The bill also faced opposition from civil liberties groups who argued it would erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. Samantha Salkin, Policy Analyst for ACLU of North Carolina argued the bill 'is an attack on immigrant communities and an attempt to further the false narrative that immigrants are a drain on our public service system and pose a threat to public safety.' Salkin said the legislation 'is likely to result in U.S. citizens having reduced access to essential services' and erode trust between immigrants and law enforcement.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC Senate leader files bill requiring state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The leader of the North Carolina Senate is moving forward with a new bill that will require state law enforcement officials to cooperate with federal immigration laws. Senate Bill 153, known as the 'North Carolina Border Protection Act', was filed by Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), state Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke), and state Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson) Monday. According to Berger's office, the bill will do the following: State law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, Department of Adult Correction, State Highway Patrol, and State Bureau of Investigation, are required to enter into memorandums of agreement with the director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to fully cooperate with immigration laws. State law enforcement agencies are required to determine the immigration status of anyone under their custody or supervision. The Office of State Budget and Management is required to determine if state-funded public benefit programs are being provided to authorized immigrations and post its findings publicly. The Office of State Budget and Management is required to to ensure state-funded public benefits are only being provided to those who qualify for them. Any county or municipality that creates sanctuary cities will have its local immunity waived, allowing citizens harmed by illegal immigrants to sue them. University of North Carolina System campuses are prohibited from adopting policies that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and/or adopting sanctuary school policies. 'North Carolinians are seeing the harmful impacts of open-border policies from dangerous drug trafficking to criminal, illegal immigrants being released from jail to roam our streets freely,' Berger said in a statement. 'North Carolinians made it clear that they will no longer tolerate sanctuary policies that put them at risk. We must send an equally strong message by requiring Gov. [Josh] Stein's administration to cooperate with immigration officials.' North Carolina legislators previously passed a bill requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE by detaining suspects believed to be in the country illegally. The bill became law last December. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
