RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Details of a bill that would require North Carolina sheriffs to respond to requests by federal immigration authorities to detain inmates believed to be in the state illegally are still under consideration in the state Legislature. be.
The North Carolina House of Representatives voted Wednesday not to accept the state Senate's amendments to the bill, which will now send it to a team of lawmakers for negotiation. The conference committee will be primarily responsible for changing the text, but Rep. Destin Hall, the Republican lead sponsor and committee member, told reporters after the vote that the main contents of the bill will change. He said no.
Before the House vote, House Speaker Tim Moore said he expected the revised bill to be voted on in the House next week.
El Pueblo, a Hispanic advocacy group working against the bill, said in a statement Wednesday that despite celebrating the moratorium, the bill “remains a real threat to the law.” and could harm immigrant communities in the state, he said. Supporters of the bill say it would prevent potentially dangerous offenders from being released early.
The proposed changes would require sheriffs or jailers in all 100 counties to follow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers, including detaining inmates believed to be in the country illegally. This is a federal government request. Guards must hold inmates accused of serious crimes for up to 48 hours.
Several amendments were added as it made its way through the Senate, including allowing anyone to file a complaint with the state attorney general's office if they believe an official is not complying with the law.
The Senate passed the bill earlier this month on a 28-16 vote along party lines.