North Carolina Republicans file bill mandating ICE cooperation

In recent legislative moves across several states, Republicans are pushing for laws requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In North Carolina, the 'North Carolina Border Protection Act' mandates state agencies to work with ICE and penalizes cities that create sanctuary policies, although Governor Josh Stein is expected to veto it. Similarly, a Wisconsin bill would compel sheriffs to report undocumented individuals in county jails and could cut state funding for non-compliance, prompting concerns from local leaders about civil rights and community trust. In Colorado, a Democratic majority voted down a similar proposal that aimed to allow local law enforcement to report suspected undocumented immigrants to ICE. Advocates argue that such laws erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, potentially hindering public safety. These developments reflect a growing national debate on the role of local law enforcement in immigration enforcement.