RALEIGH — A Senate bill that requires law enforcement cooperation with federal agencies on illegal immigration has passed both chambers of the General Assembly and is headed to Gov. Josh Stein’s desk.
Senate Bill 153 would require state law enforcement agencies to enter into cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and adopt related policies.
The measure targets sanctuary cities by waiving governmental immunity from tort liability for cities and counties that have or adopt such a status or policy. The bill also bans UNC System schools from adopting policies or procedures that would impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
The bill passed the House by a vote of 60-46. No Democrats voted to approve the measure. Rep. Dante Pittman (D-Wilson) was listed in the initial roll call vote as present but did not vote on the bill. That roll call vote record has apparently been updated showing Pittman with an excused absence.
The Senate concurred with the House version, and the bill passed down party lines 27-16.
“North Carolina is one step closer to increasing the safety of every citizen in the state,” Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), the bill’s sponsor, said. “The Republican-led General Assembly made it clear that harboring criminal illegal aliens will not be tolerated in our state. It’s time for Gov. Josh Stein to show North Carolinians that he stands with them and supports the rule of law by swiftly signing this bill.”
The measure includes references to President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 executive orders on border security and cites the 2024 election as demonstrating public support for stronger immigration policies.
Both chambers also passed a second immigration-related bill. House Bill 318 passed the House by a vote of 66-45 and the Senate in a 26-17 vote June 10. The bill was sent to Stein the same day.
No Senate Democrats voted for Senate Bill 318, and Rep. Carla Cunningham (Mecklenburg) was the lone House Democrat to vote in favor. If Cunningham keeps to her vote record, she would be the one vote needed for a successful override should the governor veto the bill.
Both bills received the endorsement of the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police (NC FOP).
“The NC FOP supports HB 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act,” the NC FOP wrote in a statement on X. “This bipartisan bill enhances public safety & backs law enforcement. We urge Governor Stein to sign HB 318 and help keep North Carolina communities safe.”
Senate Bill 153 rebuked by House Democrats
Rep. Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham) introduced the House substitute for Senate Bill 153, which made certain changes to the original bill filed by Berger.
“Here at the General Assembly, we’ve taken concrete steps to put an end to sanctuary city policies, Pyrtle said. “But we’ve had public officials that have made a name for themselves by openly defying those laws.”
Pyrtle went on to list House Bill 10 from the previous legislative session and House Bill 318 passed by the House in the current session as examples.
“But we must and need to take further steps,” said Pyrtle. “We need to ensure that statewide law enforcement agencies are also cooperating with ICE. We need to also ensure that local government is cooperating with ICE.”
Key changes and additions include requiring the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Commerce (DOC), the Housing Finance Agency and all local housing authorities to stop giving state-funded benefits to noncitizens who are in the country illegally.
The DOC’s Division of Employment Security would be required to implement verification of unemployment applicants to determine if they are legally residing in the country. Applicable state agencies and local housing authorities will also have to verify the immigration status of those applying for housing benefits.
The Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) is tasked with examining “covered State public benefits programs” to determine if benefits were being provided to unauthorized aliens and to ensure these programs were not used beyond federal requirements. OSBM is required to publish findings by Dec. 31 and report annually to the General Assembly starting Jan. 15, 2026.
Additionally, UNC System campuses are barred from implementing policies that fail to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and from adopting “sanctuary school” policies.
Rep. Deb Butler (R-New Hanover) was the first to speak in opposition to the bill during floor debate.
“Although North Carolina doesn’t share a border with any other country, what we do share is a proud legacy of decency, fairness, and a belief that if you follow the rules and you work hard and you take care of your family, you belong,” said Butler. “This bill is wrapped in the language of public safety, but its effect will be to create a culture of fear.”
Half a dozen other Democrats also gave remarks opposing the bill, citing “aggressive ICE raids” and deportations they believe violate the U.S. Constitution’s right to due process.
Commentary from Democratic members followed the presentation of Rep. Carolyn Logan’s (D-Mecklenburg) amendment adding “due process” language for individuals supervised by the various agencies mentioned in the bill. The amendment was eventually tabled.
Rep. John Blust (R-Guilford) gave remarks in favor of the measure, asking, “How did we get here?”
“I hear due process, rule of law,” said Blust. “We got here because the last administration did not enforce the law … refused to enforce laws on the books, and 12 million people came right across the border and were often aided by our government in being bused to different places around the country, some flown in the dead of night so that they could be resettled. It was a purposeful, purposeful policy.”
After the House adjourned, the North Carolina House Republican Caucus) announced it was launching a paid advertising campaign “targeting vulnerable House Democrats who have aligned themselves with policies that undermine North Carolina’s safety” and who are “prioritizing political posturing over protecting communities from the consequences of unchecked criminal illegal immigration.”
The ad campaign targets Reps. Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe), Bryan Cohn (D-Granville), Garland Pierce (D-Scotland) and Pittman for voting against House Bill 318 and Senate Bill 153. However, as previously noted, Pittman had an excused absence when Senate Bill 153 came to a vote.
