In this week’s paper, Sarah Willets takes a deep dive into HB 370, the General Assembly’s effort to compel local sheriffs to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

When we first reported on the bill several weeks ago, Katie Mgongolwa of Durham wrote: “I think it is critical that folks recognize that the U.S. government’s 287(g) program has had a devastating impact on immigrant families. By encouraging local law enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants in local jails, the program—which is not currently required and therefore runs on an ‘opt-in’ format—creates a culture of fear and mistrust in communities, The program isn’t focused on ‘serious’ criminals, but it is expensive and drains local resources. 

“We as Durhamites clearly demonstrated disapproval of the program by voting in a sheriff [Clarence Birkhead] who doesn’t utilize 287(g). Yet Republican legislators in the state House of Representatives recently introduced House Bill 370 to require local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. We must unequivocally oppose this.

“In Durham, we have seen the tremendous impact of our own driver’s license restoration program, and we’ve seen the value of helping individuals find pathways to restore their driver’s license. But because undocumented people do not have access to licensure, these are often the folks vulnerable to deportation when the 287(g) program is in place. Besides this glaring issue, people allowed to be in the country (like those protected under the DACA program) have been deported. The Department of Justice confirmed patterns of racially discriminatory police and jail practices through the 287(g) program. Multiple courts ruled that immigration detainers are unconstitutional. Plus, counties have to fund the program mostly themselves!

“If we value a community where everyone lives free from fear, HB 370 is definitely not the answer.” 

Last week, we reported that the North Carolina Sheriffs Association had come out against the bill. (The state House passed it a few hours later.) 

“If we were only a border state, the madness of our politics would match our madness toward immigrants, immigration, and injustice,” writes Glenn Maughan. 

“The NCGA can’t come out screaming about ‘states’ rights’ on the issues they want to control and then try to force federal issues down the throats of local governments. You can’t have it both ways, boys,” adds Kristen K. Hernandez.  

Finally, Donovan Verrill: “I think the NCGA might be the worst legislative body in any state. A bunch of puritanical, xenophobic dopes.”

Raleigh recently authorized a military training exercise at an abandoned hotel. The folks who live nearby were not amused. 

“Raleigh absolutely let the Brentwood community—and, really, all of us—down by treating the residents like they were meaningless when they OK’d a military training action on a weekday night this week,” writes JoAnne Krell. “By distributing some poorly crafted flyers only hours ahead of this serious and dangerous activity without addresses and contact numbers to field questions and responses, only some people were made aware that the night was going to turn into a living hell of explosions and helicopters flying in the dark. 

“For every gung-ho yahoo that has clapped back on the neighbors who have been under siege and are righteously upset, I say it’s not OK to have no say in your home being turned into a freaking sonic game zone by the military, which has a base of its own to bomb to oblivion. The city council, the mayor, and any persons in the know about this insanity need to be held accountable. We deserve better communication, integrity, and intelligent response to our concerns. Rights are involved. Badly handled, Raleigh.”

Commenter DM says Krell should get over it: “You’ll thank the military when they have to come save your butts!”

Want to see your name in bold? Email us at [email protected], comment on at indyweek.com or our Facebook page, or hit us up on Twitter: @indyweek.