BY REP. TODD CARVER

Last week the N.C. House of Representatives passed a Senate bill entitled the North Carolina Border Protection Act, SB 153. I supported this bill for a couple of reasons, which I will explain in the following paragraphs.

I want to begin with the title of the bill. We must all accept the fact that with the mobility of people in 2025, we must see North Carolina as a border state. I have heard it said — and I agree — that every state is now a border state. We must take steps to protect our state and its people from illegal immigration.

I think it’s also important to say I do not oppose immigration. We are and always will be a nation of immigrants. Unless you are a Native American, your family entered the country at some point. I have lived my life with neighbors from France, Honduras and have a good friend from Romania. All of these individuals took the proper steps to become citizens and assimilated into our society. This is the system I support and believe in for making our country stronger. If I were a member of the U.S. Congress, I would support creating more opportunities for people to legally move here. Our economy is going to require a faster growth than our birth rate is producing.

One of the cornerstones of SB 153 is the requirement for state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The N.C. General Assembly passed a law last year and we have attempted to strengthen it this year by requiring local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE. That is the next step. This is a requirement that in practice will probably have very little impact but for those limited number of cases it is clear we expect our law enforcement to cooperate with rather than obstruct ICE.

The part of the bill that I think will have the largest impact is the removal of local governmental immunity for sanctuary cities. If a city in North Carolina chooses to be a sanctuary for those who have elected not to obey our immigration laws, there should be a consequence for that city. When we welcome those who are not following the law, we can’t be surprised when they break the law in another manner. Cities are currently immune from the actions of an individual; this would change if we can get the N.C. Border Protection Act to become law.

I do not believe in fear-mongering. Crime data has repeatedly shown that he immigrant community is less dangerous than the U.S. born population. This does not mean that in those outlier cases there shouldn’t be liability for cities that have chosen a policy of non-enforcement. Every decision comes with a consequence. Cities and counties shouldn’t be allowed to play the immunity card if they welcomed someone who inflicts damage on the community.

There are several other parts of the bill that prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits. Most of these parts of the bill are prohibited in other parts of N.C. statutes, but it is good for it to be publicly restated. The limited resources in our social safety net should be dedicated to and directed at those who are a legal part of the system.

Rep. Todd Carver represents the 95th District in the N.C. House. Email him at todd.carver@ncleg.gov.