- New legislation mandates state law enforcement participation in ICE’s 287(g) program
- Attorney General barred from challenging presidential executive orders
- Moves follow Trump’s 3% margin victory in key battleground state
North Carolina’s Republican-controlled Senate has intensified its political standoff with Democratic executive officials through two contentious bills advancing this week. The measures seek to cement support for former President Trump’s immigration policies while curtailing legal challenges from newly elected Attorney General Jeff Jackson.
The first proposal requires three state agencies under Governor Josh Stein’s oversight – including the Department of Public Safety – to formally join ICE’s 287(g) program. This initiative trains local officers to screen detainees’ immigration status, with data showing 72 law enforcement partners nationwide currently participating. A fiscal analysis amendment would also mandate reviews of public benefits eligibility for undocumented residents.
Legal experts highlight the agricultural sector’s vulnerability, where migrant workers contribute $2.6 billion annually to NC’s economy. “Forcing local police into immigration enforcement could devastate crucial farming partnerships,” noted Raleigh-based labor economist Dr. Elena Martínez. Her 2023 study revealed 58% of seasonal crop workers lack permanent legal status.
The second bill prevents the Attorney General’s office from contesting presidential directives, following Jackson’s successful challenges to Trump’s birthright citizenship proposals. This mirrors 2018 Iowa legislation requiring attorney general approval for multistate lawsuits. Senate Leader Phil Berger argues these checks balance constitutional authority: “Voters endorsed Trump’s agenda – state lawyers shouldn’t undermine that mandate.”
Critics counter that 14 federal court rulings since 2020 have struck down similar state immigration laws as overreach. Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker testified: “My deputies need community trust, not deportation quotas. This bill turns beat cops into border agents.”
With Republicans holding a 30-20 Senate majority but lacking veto-proof margins, Governor Stein’s response remains pivotal. His administration continues negotiating federal disaster relief while walking a tightrope on immigration enforcement – vowing to deport violent offenders but advocating citizenship paths for long-term residents.
The North Carolina Farm Bureau estimates 12,000 open agricultural jobs statewide, with meat processing plants in Duplin County operating at 68% capacity due to labor shortages. “We need pragmatic solutions, not political theater,” said bureau president Shawn Harding during Wednesday’s committee hearing.
