NC bill would mandate sheriffs to collaborate with ICE
For the third time, North Carolina lawmakers are trying to pass a law that would require sheriffs in the state to cooperate with federal immigration officials.
It's part of House Bill 10, a bill is making its way through the legislature.
HB10 would force sheriffs to work with ICE to mandate that sheriffs honor immigration detainers - requests to keep someone in custody beyond their scheduled release - without a warrant.
In 2018 several counties, including Wake, ended their voluntary participation in the federal 278(g) program - a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE.
But now, Republican lawmakers are trying to make that cooperation mandatory.
Rep. Destin Hall is a sponsor for HB10.
"These sanctuary sheriffs are creating an environment where illegal aliens who have been charged with serious crimes in our state are protected from deportation and released back into our communities where they often go on to commit new crimes," said Hall in a advertisement.
The bill would force sheriffs to honor immigration detainers, which are administrative requests by ICE to keep someone in custody past their release date so federal agents can pick them up.
Stefania Arteaga, with the Carolina Migrant Network said HB10 would have a negative impact on the migrant community in North Carolina.
"When law enforcement collaborates with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement we see significant negative side effects to community members," Arteaga said. "We see huge distrust between local law enforcement, immigrant communities."
HB10 has been sitting in the Senate rules committee since March.
