Key Takeaways
- Senate Bill 153 requires North Carolina state agencies to finalize ICE cooperation agreements (MOAs) and report compliance by August 1, 2025.
- The bill enforces penalties on sanctuary cities, prohibits UNC System immigration policy restrictions, and mandates state benefit verification systems.
- The bill is now in the North Carolina House; Governor’s approval and potential legal challenges may impact its implementation.
The North Carolina Senate recently passed the North Carolina Border Protection Act, also known as Senate Bill 153, on March 4, 2025. This legislation mandates cooperation between several state agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to immigration enforcement. Sponsored primarily by Senate Leader Phil Berger, alongside Senators Warren Daniel and Buck Newton, the bill sets forth a range of provisions aimed at enhancing the state’s role in supporting federal immigration laws. As it stands, the bill now moves to the North Carolina House of Representatives for further consideration.
Key Elements of Senate Bill 153
At the heart of Senate Bill 153 are its requirements for state agencies to cooperate directly with ICE. Several government entities, including the Department of Public Safety, Department of Adult Correction, State Highway Patrol, and the State Bureau of Investigation, are tasked with entering into formal agreements, known as Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), with ICE. These agreements will provide authority for some state officers to carry out federal immigration enforcement duties under ICE’s direction.
Under the legislation:
– State employees are required to verify the legal residency of individuals in custody.
– When residency cannot be confirmed, employees must contact ICE.
– Information regarding unauthorized individuals must be shared directly with ICE.
These agencies must finalize their MOAs and report their compliance to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety by August 1, 2025. This timeline underscores the speed with which the bill’s provisions are expected to be carried out if signed into law.
Additional Provisions
Besides mandating cooperation with ICE, Senate Bill 153 introduces other measures that touch on various sectors of the state’s governance:
- State Benefit Programs: The Office of State Budget and Management is directed to review and monitor state benefit programs. The aim is to ensure that undocumented immigrants are not inadvertently accessing benefits and that no benefits are provided beyond what federal requirements allow.
- Sanctuary Cities: The bill enforces strict penalties against cities or counties that adopt sanctuary policies, a term often used to describe jurisdictions that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Any jurisdiction that adopts such policies risks losing its legal immunity from lawsuits. This provision makes such cities vulnerable to lawsuits filed by citizens regarding crimes committed by undocumented individuals.
UNC System Restrictions: Public universities within the University of North Carolina (UNC) System are directly affected by the bill. These educational institutions are prohibited from limiting immigration enforcement activities or creating policies that restrict the sharing of immigration-related information. This measure aims to prevent universities from becoming “sanctuary campuses.”
Retirement Systems Verification: State agencies managing retirement systems, such as those for teachers, state employees, and local governmental employees, are obligated to ensure benefits are not extended to unauthorized individuals. Employers must certify the legal employment status of those applying for such benefits.
Legislative Journey
The bill was introduced on February 24, 2025, and moved quickly through the North Carolina Senate. Two amendments were adopted before its final passage. These amendments prohibited the adoption of “sanctuary status” by UNC System institutions and mandated verification of legal employment status for beneficiaries of state-managed retirement systems.
The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 28 to 15, signaling strong Republican support for the legislation. However, no Senate Democrats voted in favor of the bill, highlighting sharp partisan divisions. On March 11, 2025, Senate Bill 153 was officially sent to the House of Representatives, where Republicans currently maintain a majority.
Motivations Behind the Bill
The sponsors of Senate Bill 153 outlined several reasons for its necessity. Advocates of the legislation argue that increased state involvement is essential to addressing broader national issues, such as drug trafficking and crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Senate Leader Phil Berger stated, “North Carolinians are seeing the harmful impacts of open-border policies — from dangerous drug trafficking to criminal, illegal immigrants being released from jail to roam our streets freely.”
The bill also seeks to align state laws with President Trump’s January 20, 2025, executive orders that reinforced stricter border control measures. According to its sponsors, the 2024 elections, which brought Republican victories across the board, reflected a strong public mandate for more robust immigration policies.
Opposition and Criticism
Despite its passage in the Senate, Senate Bill 153 has not been without its detractors. Senate Democrats unanimously opposed the bill, raising concerns about its potential impact on community trust and the risk of racial profiling. Opponents argue that such policies may erode relationships between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, deterring individuals from reporting crimes or seeking assistance due to fears of deportation.
Critics have also expressed alarm over the potential financial implications for cities and universities that may face penalties or lawsuits under the bill’s terms. Civil rights advocates argue that these measures could sow division and hinder community cohesion.
What Happens Next?
As Senate Bill 153 heads to the House of Representatives, its fate depends on several key factors:
- House Approval: With a Republican majority in the House, the bill is likely to receive support. If passed, its next hurdle would be the governor’s desk.
Governor Josh Stein’s Decision: Governor Stein’s response will be critical. The bill’s language directly critiques his administration for allegedly failing to prioritize federal immigration enforcement measures. Should Governor Stein veto the bill, its future could hinge on whether the legislature can muster enough votes to override his veto.
Timelines for Implementation: If the bill becomes law, state agencies would need to act quickly. MOAs with ICE must be finalized, and policies adapted by August 1, 2025.
Legal Challenges: The bill’s provisions related to sanctuary cities and the UNC System may provoke lawsuits. Similar laws in other states have faced challenges on constitutional grounds, particularly regarding the rights of local governments to establish independent policies.
Public Universities: Major changes could unfold within the UNC System as institutions are forced to align their policies with the legislation. This may include lifting existing restrictions on ICE operations on campuses and ensuring compliance with the ban on sanctuary campus policies.
State Services: Any revisions to state benefit programs could impact access for certain groups of residents. While supporters argue this measure ensures public resources are allocated appropriately, critics fear potential harm to families and individuals caught in the crossfire.
Broader Context
The emphasis on state-level cooperation with ICE seen in Senate Bill 153 reflects a broader national trend. Across the United States, several states are exploring legislative measures to involve state and local governments in enforcing federal immigration laws, particularly in light of federal policies under President Trump aimed at tightening border security. While supporters believe that such coordination is necessary for effective enforcement, detractors warn of possible negative consequences, including heightened fear within immigrant communities.
For employers and local governments, these trends highlight the growing importance of compliance with immigration laws. Whether Senate Bill 153 becomes law or not, the increased focus on immigration enforcement is likely to continue shaping policies at both state and federal levels.
Conclusion
The North Carolina Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 153 represents a significant step toward expanding state involvement in federal immigration enforcement. If it passes in the House and receives approval from Governor Stein, its provisions could reshape law enforcement practices, public university policies, and state services across the state. However, its path forward is not without challenges, as critics prepare to mount opposition both politically and in the courts.
As the state legislature debates the bill’s merits, its implications for residents and institutions in North Carolina remain a central focus. Given the evolving nature of immigration policy nationwide, Senate Bill 153 serves as a clear signal of how states might navigate their roles in one of today’s most contentious policy areas. For more details about federal immigration enforcement initiatives, visit ICE’s website.
Learn Today
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → Federal agency enforcing immigration laws, including detention and deportation of unauthorized immigrants in the United States.
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) → Formal agreement outlining cooperative responsibilities between state agencies and federal entities like ICE for policy enforcement.
Sanctuary Policies → Local government measures restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, often to protect undocumented immigrants.
Partisan Divisions → Disagreements between political parties, often seen in voting patterns and responses to legislation like Senate Bill 153.
Legal Residency Verification → Process of confirming someone’s immigration status to establish their right to be in the United States.
This Article in a Nutshell
North Carolina’s Senate Bill 153 intensifies state cooperation with ICE, mandating agencies verify detainees’ legal status and penalizing sanctuary policies. Critics warn of racial profiling and strained community trust, while supporters cite public safety. As it moves to the House, its implications for immigration enforcement and state governance are profoundly significant.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
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• North Carolina Debates Senate Bill 153 as Immigration Policy Divide Grows
• Senate Silent as Mass Detention Plans Move Forward Under Trump
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