Numerous North Carolina Sheriffs are risking public safety to make a political statement by refusing to cooperate with federal immigration officials when dealing with illegal immigrants who are already incarcerated for being charged with a crime.

“Sanctuary Sheriffs” need to protect our communities.

A 31-year old citizen of Honduras who was previously removed by ICE on June 23, 2009, was arrested by the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office on February 24, 2019, for Second Degree Force Sex Offense on Adult and Assault on Female and was booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte, NC. On February 25, 2019, ICE ERO issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored, and he was released on February 25, 2019, and remains at-large.

A 22-year-old citizen of Honduras, who was ordered removed by an Immigration Judge on October 16, 2018, was arrested on January 12, 2019, by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for Assault on Female, Assault on Government Official x 2, and Resisting Public Officer. On January 12, 2019, ICE ERO issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored and he was released on January 14, 2019, and remains at-large.

A 36-year old citizen of El Salvador who was previously removed by ICE on October 14, 2011, was arrested by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department on December 31, 2018, for Robbery with Dangerous Weapon, Kidnapping, First Degree Burglary, and First Degree Rape and was booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte, NC. On December 31, 2018, ICE ERO issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored, and he was released on February 21, 2019, and remains at-large.

A 20-year old citizen of Mexico was arrested by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department on September 2, 2018, for two counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child and two counts Statutory Sex Offense with Child under 15 years old and booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail in Charlotte, NC. On September 2, 2018, ICE ERO issued a detainer, but the detainer was not honored, and he was released on January 24, 2019, and remains at-large.

House Bill 370 Require Sheriff Cooperation with ICE requires county sheriffs in North Carolina to honor and fulfill detainer requests from the federal government for illegal immigrants who are already incarcerated for being charged with a crime.

This legislation requires sheriffs’ offices to track and report the number of queries they make to federal officials under its provisions and provides a mechanism for private citizens to hold their elected Sheriffs accountable in the enforcement of federal immigration law.

State Representatives Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), Brenden Jones (R-Columbus), Jason Saine (R-Lincoln), and Rep. Carson Smith (R-Pender) sponsored House Bill 370 to protect North Carolinians and our communities from these political stunts.