This month, Governor Josh Stein vetoed three bills, his first time using his veto power since entering office in January. Stein vetoed the following bills: SB 50, Freedom To Carry NC; SB 153, North Carolina Border Protection Act; and HB 318, The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act.
SB 50 would allow anyone in North Carolina 18 years and older to carry a concealed weapon without having to receive a permit. This measure, coined “constitutional carry” by conservatives, is active in 29 other states. However, the majority of North Carolinians, including gun owners, are against the idea of repealing the permit requirement, according to polling by Everytown for Gun Safety and Elon University.
Regardless of public opinion, the Republican majority in the House and Senate passed the legislation. All Democrats in both chambers voted against the measure, with two Republicans in the House, Ted Davis (R-New Hanover) and Reps. William Brisson (R-Bladen) joined Democrats in opposition. Stein cited the dangers that this permit brings for the people of the state as well as law enforcement.
SB 153, which was cosponsored by Senate leader Phil Berger (R- Rockingham) would require state law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), bans immigrants from receiving state benefits and opens up state jurisdictions that don’t cooperate with ICE, considered “sanctuary cities”, to being sued over crimes committed by immigrants. All Republicans present for the vote in both chambers voted in favor of the bill, with all Democrats present voting against it.
So-called “sanctuary cities” have also been targeted by federal Republicans, with the Department of Homeland Security publishing a list of sanctuary cities on its website. U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) followed suit and named several counties in North Carolina he believes to be sanctuary cities on social media. The publication from the Department of Homeland Security was taken down after widespread criticism, and Tillis backpedaled on his social media post after sheriffs of the counties he mentioned proved they were already cooperating with ICE.
Stein vetoed SB 153 over safety reasons, as well as not to overburden our police force, which he states is already stretched thin. “Senate Bill 153 would also make us less safe, so I am vetoing this legislation. At a time when our law enforcement is already stretched thin, this bill takes state law enforcement officers away from their existing state duties and forces them to act as federal immigration agents. Furthermore, under current law, people without lawful immigration status already are prevented from receiving Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8, and other benefits,” said Stein in a statement.
HB 318 is also supported by a leading Republican in its chamber of origin: House Speaker Destin Hall (R- Caldwell). This bill also aims to require sheriffs to cooperate with ICE detainers and address what Republicans consider a loophole that would allow them to not cooperate with the agency. The legislation passed along party lines with the exception of one democrat Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg), who was the only Democrat to support the measure.
Stein vetoed this bill over concerns about its constitutionality. “My oath of office requires that I uphold the Constitution of the United States. Therefore, I cannot sign this bill because it would require sheriffs to unconstitutionally detain people for up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released. The Fourth Circuit is clear that local law enforcement officers cannot keep people in custody solely based on a suspected immigration violation,” said Stein in a statement.
“But let me be clear: anyone who commits a serious crime in North Carolina must be prosecuted and held accountable regardless of their immigration status,” Stein added.
These immigration bills were passed and sent to Stein as tension rises over increasingly dangerous ICE raids, and as protestors and ICE agents clash in Los Angeles, California.
You can read Stein’s full statement on his vetoes here, where he also shares the support he has gotten from local sheriffs, farmers, and physicians on his vetoes.
