Governor Josh Stein's veto pen proved no match for Republican supermajorities in Raleigh this week, as North Carolina officially became the latest state to mandate full cooperation between state law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following a successful veto override.

The North Carolina Border Protection Act, Senate Bill 153, requires all state law enforcement agencies to "cooperate to the fullest extent of the law" with federal immigration officials. The legislation effectively prohibits sanctuary policies anywhere in the state and mandates that local agencies honor ICE detainer requests.

What the Law Requires

Under the new statute, North Carolina law enforcement officers must verify immigration status when lawfully detaining individuals and share that information with federal authorities upon request. Counties and municipalities that previously limited cooperation with ICE will be required to change course or face potential loss of state funding.

The bill also restricts certain state benefits to those who can demonstrate lawful presence in the United States, a provision that generated significant opposition from immigrant advocacy groups during the legislative process.

Veto Override Caps Contentious Session

House Republicans overrode Governor Stein's veto on June 24, achieving the three-fifths majority required after a heated floor debate. The override was part of a broader confrontation between the Democratic governor and the Republican-controlled legislature, which also successfully overrode vetoes on legislation addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at state universities.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger celebrated the new law in a statement: "The North Carolina Border Protection Act is now law! This requires state law enforcement to cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities."

Impact on Mecklenburg and Wake Counties

The legislation is expected to have the most significant impact in Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte, and Wake County, which includes Raleigh. Both counties had previously adopted policies limiting cooperation with ICE in certain circumstances.

Mecklenburg County in particular had drawn federal criticism in recent years for refusing to honor some ICE detainer requests, with officials arguing that holding individuals beyond their release dates without a judicial warrant raised constitutional concerns.

Critics Decry Enforcement Mandate

Opponents of the legislation warn it will damage trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, potentially making residents less likely to report crimes or cooperate as witnesses.

"This law forces our sheriffs and police chiefs to become immigration agents, which is not their job and will make our communities less safe," said one Democratic state representative during floor debate.

The law takes effect immediately for state agencies, with local governments given 60 days to comply. Immigration attorneys in the state are advising affected communities to understand their rights and prepare for increased enforcement activity in the coming weeks.