NC House Republicans Crush Stein’s Veto of HB 318, Defying Soft-on-Crime Democrats

NC House Republicans, with bipartisan support, demolished Governor Josh Stein’s veto of HB 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, on July 29, 2025, with a 72-48 House vote.

Every swing district Democrat—Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe), Dante Pittman (D-Wilson), Bryan Cohn (D-Granville), and Garland Pierce (D-Scotland)—voted no, shielding criminals over North Carolinians.

The NC Fraternal Order of Police, Police Benevolent Association, NC Troopers Association, and NC Sheriffs’ Association strongly backed HB 318. Yet, swing district Democrats—Lindsey Prather, Dante Pittman, Bryan Cohn, and Garland Pierce—sided with criminal illegal aliens over our law enforcement officers, voting no.

What HB 318 Does

Effective October 1, 2025, HB 318 mandates sheriffs and judicial officials to:

• Verify the immigration status of individuals arrested for felonies or serious misdemeanors (e.g., impaired driving, stalking, sexual battery).

• Notify ICE if the individual lacks legal status.

• Detain illegal aliens for up to 48 hours at ICE’s request, preventing their release into communities.

• Expand on HB 10 (2024), adding more offenses triggering immigration checks, like domestic violence and drug trafficking.

HB 318 ensures dangerous illegal aliens face justice, slamming the door on crime and keeping North Carolina safe.