Democrats in the North Carolina General Assembly have introduced two bills this week aimed at limiting law enforcement’s involvement in immigration enforcement in specific locations. House Bill 78 would prohibit assistance to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in places like religious institutions, schools, and hospitals, while House Bill 80 would protect farmland and construction sites from immigration enforcement. These bills are designed to prevent disruptions and fear in vulnerable communities seeking essential services.
Jon Guze, a Senior Fellow at the John Locke Foundation, explained that under North Carolina’s Constitution, the General Assembly has the power to enact these bills restricting cooperation with ICE. However, with a Republican majority that recently passed legislation requiring sheriffs to work with ICE in all counties, the bills may face challenges in both chambers. Guze expressed mixed feelings, supporting the deportation of illegal immigrants but expressing concern about law enforcement making high-profile arrests in public areas.
Although the bills were introduced in the General Assembly for the 2025 session, Guze noted that they were not proposed during previous administrations that also conducted deportation efforts. He suggested that the bills might be politically motivated and not genuinely aimed at helping illegal immigrants and their employers. Guze recalled mass arrests and deportations during the Obama administration without significant complaints from the left at the time.
These bills highlight the complex issues surrounding immigration enforcement and the role of law enforcement in North Carolina. As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration, the debate over the appropriate role of state and local authorities in immigration enforcement is likely to intensify.
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