WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) issued the following statement on Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of S.B. 101, which simply requires North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with ICE when dangerous criminal illegal immigrants are detained for violent crimes:

“Governor Cooper has effectively declared North Carolina a sanctuary state. The veto of a commonsense bill to stop sanctuary city policies allows his political allies to keep ignoring federal law enforcement and keep releasing dangerous and violent criminals back into communities across North Carolina where they will continue to commit violent crimes. The Biden-Harris Administration’s weak border enforcement policies, combined with the soft-on-crime policies promoted by liberal leaders, are making our state and nation less safe.”

Senator Tillis has introduced legislation aimed at stopping dangerous sanctuary city policies. He has 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.

Tillis has also introduced the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, legislation that holds sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for failing to comply with lawful detainer and release notification requests made by federal authorities and jeopardizing public safety. 

###