El Pueblo applauds Governor Stein’s decision to Veto Two Anti-Immigrant Bills.
Raleigh, NC. Governor Josh Stein vetoed the anti-immigrant bills HB318 and SB153, which sought to extend state agencies’ collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to pursue and terrorize immigrants in the state.
Following the governor’s announcement, El Pueblo, an organization that advocates for the state’s Latine immigrant community, issued the following public statement:
“El Pueblo applauds Governor Josh Stein’s decision to stand with North Carolina’s immigrant community and veto anti-immigrant bills HB318 and SB153, which would cause enormous harm not only to immigrants living in the state, but also to the state’s economy and security.
With this veto, Governor Stein rejects the attempt by the Republican majority in the legislature to usurp executive power and force various state agencies to collaborate in the pursuit and detention of undocumented immigrants through SB153.
He has also halted the attempt to expand the already dangerous and damaging state law HB10, passed last year, through HB318, which sought to expand the collaboration of state sheriffs with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Experience has shown that forced collaboration between state agencies and ICE only leads to racial profiling and abuses against immigrants by law enforcement, as well as insecurity for everyone by discouraging victims and witnesses from reporting crimes for fear of deportation.
We are pleased with the governor’s action because it helps ensure North Carolina remains a safe state for everyone, including immigrants, who deserve equal treatment under the law and the opportunity to continue contributing their work to the state’s economy and development.
We at El Pueblo urge members of the General Assembly to respect the governor’s decision and block with their presence and votes any attempt to override his veto of these harmful legislations”.
