RALEIGH - The North Carolina Senate passed Senate Bill 153 today, which includes several provisions targeting immigrant communities. The bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives.
The provisions of the bill include:
- Requiring several state law enforcement agencies enter into formal agreements to work more collaboratively with ICE.
- Conducting an audit of state public benefit programs to ensure they are not being unlawfully used by undocumented immigrants.
- Preventing UNC system schools from adopting protections from immigration enforcement on campus.
You can read a more complete description of the provisions here and you can view the bill text here.
“This bill isn’t about protecting our communities, it's about furthering an anti-immigrant agenda, no matter the costs,” said Liz Barber, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the ACLU of North Carolina. “SB 153 would exacerbate the climate of uncertainty for immigrants and their families in North Carolina. No one should have to live in constant fear of being detained, deported, or separated from their families. These are our neighbors, coworkers, and friends, and they should be treated with dignity and respect.”
The ACLU of North Carolina is encouraging constituents to contact their legislators and tell them to vote no on SB 153. They can do so using this form.
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