RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina sheriffs would be forced to honor federal requests to hold jail inmates who may be in the country unlawfully, under a bill that has advanced at the General Assembly.
Some recently elected black Democratic county sheriffs — most from metropolitan areas — have refused to comply with immigration detainers. They've accused Republicans of trying to erode their authority and using racially tinged "code words" to target them.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to recommend the measure, which was altered from a version that passed the House. The latest edition requires a judge or magistrate to issue an order to hold the inmate, but opponents say due process problems remain that make it unconstitutional.
The bill passed after two spectators yelling against the bill were led out of the committee room.
