Immigrants’ Rights Alliance of North Carolina Calls on Legislators to Reject Anti-Immigrant Bills

March 9, 2021 12:30 pm

SB 101 and HB 62 advance through Senate and House Committees

 

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 9, 2021) - Earlier today, the Senate Committee on Judiciary at the N.C. General Assembly gave approval to Senate Bill 101 (SB 101), an anti-immigrant "show me your papers" bill that circumvents the local authority of sheriffs by requiring them to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and assist in the federal government’s deportation pipeline or face criminal charges. SB 101 is similar to HB 370, which was vetoed by Gov. Cooper in 2019 and failed to become law.

Also today, the House Judiciary 1 Committee approved a proposed committee substitute (PCS) of House Bill 62 (HB 62)--another bill intended to punish sheriffs, counties, or municipalities that do not collaborate with ICE--by allowing anyone in the state to file a lawsuit against a county or municipality for allegedly violating North Carolina's anti-sanctuary law.

After the committee hearing, the Alianza de derechos de los Inmigrantes de Carolina del Norte (AICN), which translates to the Immigrants' Rights Alliance of North Carolina, released the following statement:

“Especially during a pandemic, North Carolinians expect lawmakers to improve the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors and communities. However, this legislation would put people at greater risk of COVID-19, spread fear among families, and fan the flames of hate against immigrant community members.

“We strongly urge the N.C. legislature to reject SB 101 and HB 62. North Carolinians deserve better from their elected officials than these divisive and harmful proposals.”

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The Alianza de derechos de los Inmigrantes de Carolina del Norte (AICN) / Immigrants' Rights Alliance of North Carolina is a coalition of 30 organizations dedicated to protecting and defending the rights of immigrants in North Carolina. Coalition partners include:

  • Acción Política Latina
  • ACLU of NC
  • AMEXCAN
  • Ángel Guardian
  • Asociación Dominicana
  • Association of Mexicans in North Carolina (AMEXCAN)
  • Comité de Acción Popular
  • Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Acción (CIMA)
  • Comunidad Colectiva
  • Comunidad Vida Nueva
  • El Centro of Hendersonville
  • El Pueblo
  • El Vínculo Hispano
  • Faith Action International House
  • Fayetteville PACT
  • Henderson Resiste
  • Hendfact
  • Hispanic Federation
  • Immigrant Justice Coalition --Boone, NC
  • Just Futures Law
  • Moms Rising
  • Mujerxs Organizando Oportunidades Notables
  • Muslim Women For
  • NAACP North Carolina
  • North Carolina Asian Americans Together
  • North Carolina Justice Center
  • North Carolina State Police Accountability Network
  • Poor People’s Campaign
  • SEAC Village
  • Sheriffs for Trusting Communities
  • Si a las Licencias
  • South East Immigrants Rights Network (SEIRN)
  • Student Action With Farmworkers