Yesterday, Carolina Journal reported N.C. Governor Roy Cooper vetoed legislation that would require sheriffs to comply with ICE detainers. According to the story:

Cooper vetoed House Bill 370 Wednesday, Aug. 21, the day after it passed the House along party lines, 62-53.  It would have required sheriffs to comply with detention orders and administrative warrants issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The orders in question cover illegal immigrant inmates who have completed their sentences in city or county jails but also face a deportation order or are otherwise sought by federal authorities.

The legislation followed statements from multiple N.C. sheriffs’ departments which have said their offices would not hold illegal immigrants past their sentences for ICE. The story reads:

Sheriffs in several of the state’s largest counties — including Wake, Mecklenburg, and Durham — vowed to stop cooperating with ICE. In part, they said they didn’t have the constitutional authority to hold an inmate who has completed his sentence unless a judge or magistrate ordered it.

Governor Cooper stated in his veto:

“This legislation is simply about scoring partisan political points and using fear to divide North Carolina. As the former top law enforcement officer of our state, I know that current law allows the state to jail and prosecute dangerous criminals regardless of immigration status. This bill, in addition to being unconstitutional, weakens law enforcement in North Carolina by mandating sheriffs to do the job of federal agents, using local resources that could hurt their ability to protect their counties.”

The story reports Sen. Chuck Edwards, R-Henderson, said the Senate plans to schedule an override vote soon.

Read the full article here.