NC Bill Mandating Sheriff Cooperation with ICE Sparks Debate

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A new bill, House Bill 10, which would require sheriffs in North Carolina to comply with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests in cases involving serious crimes, has passed the state Senate and is expected to be voted on by the House. The bill mandates that sheriffs honor ICE detainers, requiring them to hold individuals suspected of being in the country illegally for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released.

The bill has drawn strong reactions from both supporters and opponents. Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe expressed concerns, stating that the bill would damage relationships between law enforcement and local communities. “This bill hinders the sheriff’s office's ability to build relationships with the community and takes away authority from the sheriff to set local law enforcement priorities,” Rowe said.

On the other side, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, who was involved in drafting the bill, argued that it is essential for public safety. “If you have a criminal offender in your community, and remove that offender from your community, that makes your community safer,” Page said.

The legislation also expands the list of offenses that trigger mandatory immigration status checks by law enforcement, including felonies and Class A1 misdemeanors, such as assault or violations of domestic violence protective orders.

Republican supporters of the bill, like state Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson), emphasize that it focuses on those charged with serious crimes and does not target individuals who are not involved in criminal activities. “This bill does not require law enforcement to round folks up who are not charged with crimes,” Britt stated.

However, Democrats and immigrant rights advocates warn that the bill could erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. State Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham) criticized the bill, urging lawmakers to consider its potential impact on human rights.

The bill’s passage marks the latest in a series of efforts by Republicans in the state legislature to mandate sheriff cooperation with ICE, a measure that has been vetoed multiple times by Governor Roy Cooper in the past. As the House prepares to vote, the future of this legislation—and its implications for communities across North Carolina—hangs in the balance.