El Centro Hispano Brings Attention to Harmful Impact of HB 318 and Senate Bill 153 on Immigrant Communities in North Carolina
As a community-based organization, ECH is committed to informing stakeholders and the community at large about the potential implications and effects of new legislation. House Bill 318, known as the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, raises significant concerns regarding its potential implications for immigrant communities. The bill’s provisions may lead to increased racial profiling and strain the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
At the same time, the provisions in Senate Bill 153, also known as the North Carolina Border Protection Act, raise significant issues that could adversely affect our communities and institutions by effectively deputizing local officers to perform federal immigration enforcement functions. This shift may strain local resources and erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, potentially compromising public safety. Furthermore, SB 153 seeks to prohibit the University of North Carolina system institutions from adopting sanctuary policies, possibly hindering the universities’ ability to create learning environments that support all students, regardless of immigration status. The bill also proposes to waive governmental immunity for cities and counties that enact sanctuary policies if an unauthorized immigrant commits a crime within their jurisdiction exposing local governments to increased liability and discouraging them from implementing policies that reflect the needs of their communities.
ECH encourages policies that foster collaboration, protect civil liberties, and promote trust as essential for the well-being and safety of all North Carolina residents. It is our position that, regarding the aforementioned bills, this is not the case.
ECH urges everyone to seek out accurate, up-to-date information from reliable sources. Misinformation can spread quickly, leading to confusion and disengagement. It’s crucial to use trustworthy outlets and verified legislative tracking tools to stay informed.
ECH is here to support you. Together, we can stay informed, strengthen our community, and ensure that everyone has the tools to engage confidently and knowledgeably.
