Bill to prevent undocumented immigrants from clearing their criminal records in North Carolina

Raleigh. A group of Republican lawmakers want undocumented immigrants to be prevented from expunging their criminal records in North Carolina.

House Bill 86, introduced by Republican Reps. Kelly Hastings, Brian Bigss, John Torbett and Donnie Loftis, states that individuals who are not legal residents or U.S. citizens will not be eligible to expunge records of convictions or charges against them.

The proposal establishes a new requirement for judicial authorities that within 30 days of receiving a petition, they must try to prove that the applicant is a citizen or legal resident. If they fail, they must make a query with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

The bill excludes immigrants who entered the country through a legal process and who have a pending petition with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (USCIS).

The proposal was sent to the House Judiciary Committee 2 on February 11.