In Raleigh, North Carolina, Republicans are determined to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda by pressuring the recently elected Democratic governor to support the president’s immigration policies and prevent the new Democratic attorney general from challenging Trump in court. The North Carolina Senate has moved forward with measures this week that strengthen previous laws that limit the authority of Democratic officials in the executive branch.
Following Trump’s narrow victory in North Carolina in November, Republicans passed a bill on Tuesday that would require certain law enforcement agencies under Gov. Josh Stein to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. This includes mandating the State Bureau of Investigation, Department of Public Safety, and adult correction system to participate in the 287(g) program, which trains officers to verify the immigration status of defendants.
This bill aligns with similar efforts in over a dozen states where Republican lawmakers are seeking to establish agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Additionally, the bill tasks Stein’s budget office with investigating whether undocumented immigrants are improperly receiving state benefits.
Another measure, tentatively approved on Wednesday, aims to prevent the attorney general, formerly U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson who now holds Stein’s position, from challenging any presidential executive orders. This move comes after Republicans previously passed a law requiring county sheriffs to assist ICE in apprehending jail inmates wanted by federal agents.
Republican leaders are critical of Jackson’s opposition to Trump’s policies, arguing that state lawmakers have the authority to define the attorney general’s role and limit his powers. They contend that Jackson’s legal challenges undermine the will of North Carolina voters who support Trump’s immigration stance.
On the other hand, Jackson’s supporters argue that the attorney general is duty-bound to defend constitutional rights and check federal overreach, regardless of political affiliation. They highlight Jackson’s successful legal battles against Trump’s policies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an independent Attorney General’s Office in North Carolina.
In response to these legislative actions, a spokesperson for Jackson expressed concerns about bills that compromise the autonomy of the Attorney General’s Office and its ability to serve the state and its citizens effectively.
Democratic attorneys general have challenged nine actions taken by the Trump administration so far. James Tierney, a former Maine attorney general now teaching at Harvard Law School, stated that excluding North Carolina from multistate lawsuits would not hinder efforts to contest Trump’s orders. However, Tierney warned that North Carolina’s absence could have a significant impact if the state does not resist policies that directly affect it. In 2018, Iowa’s Republican governor struck a deal requiring the state’s Democratic attorney general to seek her approval before joining lawsuits from other states. The North Carolina bills also require approval from the House, where Republicans are one seat short of a veto-proof majority. This means that Attorney General Stein’s vetoes can be sustained if Democrats remain united. Stein, known for criticizing Trump and engaging with his administration on issues like Hurricane Helene aid, remained undecided on the immigration bill. He emphasized that individuals in the country unlawfully who commit violent crimes will face consequences and deportation, while also advocating for federal legislation that includes a path to citizenship for long-term, law-abiding residents. Critics of the immigration bill believe it will negatively impact economic sectors dependent on immigrant labor and worsen the fears of communities already affected by Trump’s policies. Mario Alfaro from El Pueblo group expressed concerns that the bill would not protect the state’s citizens but rather create distrust and increase insecurity for everyone.
