United Against HB10

El Centro Hispano NC, Women Leading Together, El Colectivo NC, and faith leaders from across North Carolina are uniting to oppose House Bill 10 (HB10), which is currently advancing in the state House of Representatives. The coalition warns that HB10 poses significant legal and constitutional threats, jeopardizing the safety and rights of North Carolina’s most vulnerable communities. They emphasize that this legislation also threatens the well-being of public schools, where the presence of immigrant families and students creates diverse, inclusive learning environments. A press conference and vigil will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024, to address these concerns and urge lawmakers to act in the public’s best interest by rejecting HB10.

HB10 would require North Carolina sheriffs to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), mandating that sheriffs hold undocumented individuals charged with specific offenses for 48 hours upon ICE’s request. Advocates emphasize that this proposed legislation raises serious legal and ethical issues, including the risk of disrupting public school communities and creating an atmosphere of fear for students and families.

Faith leaders are also standing against HB10, stressing that lawmakers have a moral duty to protect the vulnerable. They assert that HB10 contradicts the values of compassion, justice, and unity upheld by their faith and communities. “This bill is a step backward for North Carolina,” they declare, calling on state leaders to reject the legislation and protect the integrity of the state and its public institutions.

“We are deeply troubled by HB10’s implications, particularly its disregard for the constitutional protections enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause,” said Ana Blackburn, CEO of Women Leading Together. “By requiring local law enforcement to comply with ICE detainment requests, the bill risks subjecting sheriffs and counties to potential lawsuits and legal liabilities.”

An analysis from the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) and the Center for Justice has flagged HB10’s failure to meet constitutional standards regarding ICE detentions. Although the bill contains a clause that absolves sheriffs from liability if detentions are carried out under a state judicial order, it does not shield them from lawsuits related to potential constitutional violations. Legal experts argue that, without robust safeguards, the legislation would likely expose local governments to costly legal battles while infringing on individual rights.

“Our elected officials must be on the right side of history,” emphasized Antelmo Salazar, President of El Colectivo NC. “HB10 not only threatens our communities but also creates a dangerous precedent where our state’s law enforcement agencies are turned into immigration enforcement arms, further eroding trust in public institutions.”

HB10’s impact stretches beyond immigration enforcement, directing substantial taxpayer money toward Opportunity Scholarships and shifting funds away from public education to support private schools. The bill allocates $248 million in one-time funds along with $215 million in recurring funds to address a backlog of 55,000 applicants, most of whom are private school students. Local leaders contend that this funding would be far more effective if invested in North Carolina’s public school system, which continues to face critical underfunding. 

This legislation endangers the future of our public schools. With $4 billion diverted over the next decade to private institutions and tax breaks for the wealthy, public schools face severe funding cuts, leaving little for teacher pay and essential student programs.We joined Governor Cooper’s call for the General Assembly to prioritize recovery efforts in Western North Carolina over allocating millions of taxpayer dollars to private school vouchers.

 Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, President and CEO of El Centro Hispano NC, also highlighted the bill’s impact on education, stating, “Instead of supporting our public schools, HB10 siphons resources to private interests at the expense of our children’s future. We must prioritize equity in education for all students.”

Press Conference Details:

• When: Monday, November 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
• Where: North Carolina General Assembly, 16 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27601
• Who: Representatives from El Centro Hispano NC, El Colectivo NC, Women Leading Together, along with key faith leaders and community advocates:
  • Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, President and CEO, El Centro Hispano NC
  • Antelmo Salazar, President, El Colectivo NC
  • Rev. Franklin Morales, Latino Ministries Congregation in the Episcopal Diocese of NC
  • Mary Todd Earnhardt, Wake County School Teacher
  • Additional community and faith leaders, with attorney remarks from Common Cause pending confirmation

The coalition urges all North Carolinians to join in opposition to HB10, calling for a commitment to justice, equity, and the preservation of constitutional rights for all residents.