Saturday, 23 November 2024

State Lawmakers Override Democrat Governor’s Veto Of Immigration Bill


Republican lawmakers in the North Carolina House voted to override Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of an immigration bill requiring sheriffs to cooperate with federal authorities when arresting illegal immigrants.

“The HB 10 veto override passed 72-44 in the House,” ABC 11 reports.

The legislation advances to the North Carolina Senate for consideration.

HB 10 also expands the school voucher program.

The bill passed mostly along party lines, with Democratic Rep. Carla Cunningham joining Republicans.

“We must adopt a common sense approach to public safety, ensuring that federal and local agencies work together to safeguard our communities,” Cunningham said, according to Blue Ridge Public Radio.

ABC 11 reports:

It would also require sheriffs in North Carolina to follow new protocols should they learn someone they’ve arrested is in the country illegally. Sheriffs — once a court order has been issued – would be mandated to keep those undocumented people in custody until federal agents from ICE can step in.

It’s a law that advocates say will devastate North Carolina’s immigrant communities. A vigil was held outside the state legislature to protest HB10.

“We saw it in the past. We saw it here, ICE coming to take people from our community with really not the right way to do it. So, yeah, we are very concerned about that,” Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, CEO of El Centro Hispano, said.

The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association however supports the latest version of HB10, saying: “The Association appreciates the legislature for its willingness not to impose onerous recordkeeping requirements on our state’s 100 sheriffs; and not to interject the Attorney General into these judicial matters.”

Per Blue Ridge Public Radio:

Democratic Rep. Abe Jones, of Wake County, spoke against the bill.

“Are we going to send the sheriffs any extra money to enforce these ICE laws for the federal government, or are we trying to be good guys?” Jones asked.

Some immigrant advocates worry the bill will aid President-elect Trump’s promise for mass deportations.

The North Carolina Senate is scheduled to vote on HB10 Wednesday.

It also includes around $6.5 billion in state funding for private school vouchers over the next decade.

WATCH:


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