NC bill would mandate sheriffs’ cooperation with ICE in felony immigration cases

When federal immigration officers make a request, North Carolina sheriffs may soon have to cooperate. In North Carolina, House Bill 10 would force sheriffs to grant requests from federal immigration officers to detain people accused of severe crimes. A detention request is a request by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the sheriff’s office to hold an individual in custody until immigration officers are able to take them into custody. The sheriff’s office in the majority of North Carolina counties will grant the request.

Some counties won’t, though. According to the counties of Wake, Durham, and Orange, holding someone after they have posted bond is unlawful. The list of offenses for which law enforcement authorities must investigate a detainee’s immigration status would also be altered by the measure. Class A1 crimes such as assault and breaches of domestic violence protection orders are now included in the list of offenses. On Wednesday, the state House is scheduled to vote on it. Governor Roy Cooper has already vetoed multiple versions.