Jones Supports ‘Cooperation’ Bill

North Carolina sheriffs could be required to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, under a new bill supported by Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus).

House Bill 10, “Require Sheriff Cooperation With ICE” is sponsored by Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus, Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, and Rep. Carson Smith, R-Pender. Hall introduced the bill Wednesday.

If it becomes law, HB-10 will require sheriffs to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) if there is a question about the citizenship status of suspects accused of serious felonies and violent crimes.

The bill is in response to a number of North Carolina sheriffs who have refused to contact federal authorities when they arrest illegal aliens on serious crimes. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a senate bill requiring cooperation last year. In a press release he said the law was “about scoring political points and using fear to divide North Carolinians”.

With the new supermajority in the state senate, and only one seat short of the same in the state house, Republicans are expected to be able to push through a number of bills that were previously spiked by Cooper.

“North Carolina Sheriffs need to act in full cooperation with federal authorities,” Rep. Saine said in a media statement. “Allowing detained illegal aliens charged with serious crimes to walk free even though they have a federal deportation order against them shows a severe lack of judgment.

“We have seen case after case where these politically motivated policies have led to tragedies in our communities, and it has to stop.”

Hall is an attorney from Granite Falls. He was reappointed to be chairman of the powerful Rules committee for this term of the legislature. Bills must be approved by the Rules committee to move to the floor for a vote

If approved, and not vetoes, the bill would become law Oct. 1, 2024.