Tillis Introduced Legislation Today Aimed At Stopping Dangerous Sanctuary City Policies In North Carolina

TILLIS: “This is yet another example of how reckless sanctuary policies are putting dangerous criminals back into our communities and impeding the ability of federal law enforcement to do their jobs.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis issued a statement after the Buncombe County Sheriff's office released an individual from jail despite a detainer request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to transfer his custody prior to his release. The inmate was charged with multiple counts of statutory sex offense with a child. 

“This is yet another example of how reckless sanctuary policies are putting dangerous criminals back into our communities and impeding the ability of federal law enforcement to do their jobs. A handful of North Carolina sheriffs are providing sanctuary to murderers, rapists, and child molesters instead of simply transferring them to ICE so they can be deported. It’s a dereliction of their duty to keep North Carolinians safe,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “That’s why I introduced legislation today to clarify DHS’s detainer authority so sheriffs can no longer make up excuses when they refuse to honor detainer requests from ICE. I urge Congress to take up this legislation immediately so we can stop dangerous criminals from being released back into our communities.”

Earlier today, Senator Tillis introduced the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act, legislation that would clarify the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) detainer authority, clearly establish the authority of states and localities to maintain custody in cases in which a detainer has been issued, and incentivize cooperation between law enforcement agencies and DHS through the reimbursement of certain detention, technology, and litigation-related costs.

The introduction comes as a follow-up to the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, legislation introduced by Senator Tillis that holds sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for failing to comply with lawful detainer and release notification requests made by federal authorities. 

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