Key Takeaways
• Senate Bill 153 mandates all NC law enforcement agencies to sign 287(g) agreements with ICE.
• Sanctuary cities lose government immunity, allowing victims to sue for crimes by unauthorized immigrants.
• UNC universities are banned from sanctuary policies and must cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement.
North Carolina’s Border Protection Act: What It Means for Sanctuary Cities, Universities, and Immigrant Communities
North Carolina has moved to the center of the national immigration debate with the introduction and advancement of Senate Bill 153, known as the North Carolina Border Protection Act. Passed by the state Senate on March 4, 2025, and now under review in House committees as of June 3, 2025, this bill aims to increase state-level immigration enforcement, especially targeting so-called sanctuary cities and universities. The legislation reflects a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten immigration controls and hold local governments accountable for their cooperation with federal authorities.
This article explains what the North Carolina Border Protection Act proposes, why it matters, and how it could affect immigrants, local governments, universities, and communities across the state.
What Is the North Carolina Border Protection Act?
Senate Bill 153—the North Carolina Border Protection Act—was introduced by Senate Leader Phil Berger, Senator Warren Daniel, and Senator Buck Newton. The bill passed the Senate with a 28-15 vote, mostly along party lines, and is now being considered by House committees. The main goal of the bill is to force local governments and public universities to cooperate more closely with federal immigration authorities, especially Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The bill comes at a time when President Trump has returned to office and made immigration enforcement a top priority. On April 28, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice to identify and publicly expose jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The DHS responded by publishing a list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” across the country, including several counties in North Carolina.
Key Provisions of Senate Bill 153
The North Carolina Border Protection Act contains several important rules and requirements. Here are the main points:
1. Mandatory Cooperation with ICE
- All state law enforcement agencies must enter into formal 287(g) agreements with ICE.
- A 287(g) agreement is a partnership between local law enforcement and ICE that allows local officers to help enforce federal immigration laws.
- This expands on a previous law, House Bill 10 (passed in 2024), which required sheriffs to cooperate with ICE detainers—requests to hold people suspected of being in the country illegally.
2. Civil Liability for Sanctuary Jurisdictions
- Cities and counties that adopt sanctuary policies lose their governmental immunity.
- Governmental immunity usually protects cities and counties from being sued for certain actions.
- Under this bill, if a city or county refuses to cooperate with ICE and a crime is committed by someone in the country illegally, victims can sue the local government for damages.
- This provision is meant to discourage local governments from adopting sanctuary policies.
3. Restrictions on Universities
- University of North Carolina (UNC) system schools are banned from becoming “sanctuary universities.”
- This means public universities cannot refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities or block ICE from campus.
- The bill also prevents universities from adopting policies that would protect undocumented students from immigration enforcement.
4. Restriction of State Benefits
- State funds and benefits can only go to people legally present in the United States 🇺🇸.
- This includes housing assistance and other state-funded programs.
- The goal is to make sure that only people with legal status receive state support.
Why Is North Carolina Passing This Law Now?
The push for the North Carolina Border Protection Act comes after several recent developments at both the federal and state levels:
- President Trump’s Executive Order: On April 28, 2025, President Trump ordered federal agencies to identify and expose sanctuary jurisdictions—places that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
- DHS List of Sanctuary Jurisdictions: On May 29, 2025, DHS published a list of counties and cities across the country that it says are “deliberately obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws.” Nine North Carolina counties, including Mecklenburg, Guilford, and Wake, were named.
- Senator Thom Tillis’s Announcement: On April 29, 2025, Senator Tillis identified these nine counties as sanctuary jurisdictions and announced plans for federal legislation to hold them accountable.
- Previous State Law (House Bill 10): In late 2024, North Carolina passed a law requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE after some counties refused to honor ICE detainers.
Supporters of the bill, including House Speaker Destin Hall and Senator Buck Newton, argue that the law is needed to protect public safety and to support the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Senator Newton said, “It’s past time for North Carolina cities and counties to be held accountable for harmful sanctuary city policies. We’ve seen families across the country suffer because of these policies.”
What Are Sanctuary Cities and Why Are They Controversial?
A sanctuary city is a city or county that has policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. These policies might include:
- Not honoring ICE detainers (requests to hold people for ICE pickup)
- Not sharing information about immigration status with ICE
- Limiting ICE access to local jails
Supporters of sanctuary policies say they help build trust between immigrant communities and local police, making it easier for immigrants to report crimes and cooperate with investigations. They argue that local police should focus on community safety, not federal immigration enforcement.
Opponents, including President Trump and many Republican lawmakers, argue that sanctuary policies allow people in the country illegally—including those who commit crimes—to avoid deportation and pose a threat to public safety.
How Would the North Carolina Border Protection Act Affect Sanctuary Cities?
The North Carolina Border Protection Act directly targets sanctuary cities and counties by:
- Forcing all law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE through 287(g) agreements
- Allowing victims of crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants to sue local governments that have sanctuary policies
- Threatening the loss of state funds for cities and counties that do not comply
These measures are designed to pressure local governments to drop sanctuary policies and fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Impact on Universities: No Sanctuary Campuses
One of the most far-reaching parts of the bill is its ban on “sanctuary universities.” Under this rule:
- UNC system schools cannot adopt policies that limit cooperation with ICE
- Universities cannot block ICE from coming onto campus
- Schools cannot provide special protections or support for undocumented students that would interfere with immigration enforcement
This could affect university policies on student privacy, campus access, and support services for undocumented students. Many universities across the country have considered or adopted sanctuary campus policies to protect immigrant students, but North Carolina’s bill would make this illegal for public universities in the state.
Federal Legislation and National Context
The North Carolina Border Protection Act is part of a larger national trend. Several bills in Congress also target sanctuary jurisdictions:
- Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025 (S.185): Introduced by Senator Tillis, this bill would let victims of crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants sue cities and counties with sanctuary policies.
- No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act (H.R.32): Would block federal bailouts for sanctuary jurisdictions.
- Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025 (H.R.2931): Would stop the Small Business Administration from moving offices away from sanctuary cities if it would hurt local communities.
These federal efforts show that the debate over sanctuary cities is not just a state issue—it’s part of a national political battle over immigration enforcement.
Who Supports the North Carolina Border Protection Act?
Supporters include:
- Republican lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly
- President Trump’s administration
- Senator Thom Tillis and other federal lawmakers
- Some local law enforcement officials
They argue that the bill will:
- Improve public safety by removing people in the country illegally who commit crimes
- Support federal immigration enforcement
- Hold local governments accountable for their policies
House Speaker Destin Hall said, “Both the Senate and the House, on our side of the aisle anyway, feel like we need to do all we can to assist with the Trump administration’s immigration policies.”
Who Opposes the Bill and Why?
Opposition comes from:
- Immigrant advocacy groups like Siembra NC
- Some local officials, including sheriffs in counties named as sanctuary jurisdictions
- Civil rights organizations
Their main concerns are:
- Erosion of trust between immigrant communities and police: If immigrants fear that any contact with police could lead to deportation, they may be less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations.
- Overburdening local law enforcement: Local police already have many responsibilities. Adding immigration enforcement could stretch resources thin and distract from other priorities.
- Harm to immigrant families: Advocacy groups say the bill could lead to more detentions and deportations of people with no criminal records, breaking up families and causing fear in communities.
Kelly Morales of Siembra NC said, “The bill gives a reason for local law enforcement that is already swamped with all of their different kinds of roles and duties they have to carry out now on top of that are being asked to fulfill something that’s out of their jurisdiction, that actually causes a lot of harm and distrust to those agencies.”
Real-Life Impact: Stories from North Carolina
During a news conference on March 5, 2025, Siembra NC shared stories of three North Carolina residents who were detained while working out of state after being stopped for minor violations, even though they had no prior criminal records. These stories highlight the fear and uncertainty many immigrants feel as enforcement policies become stricter.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, whose county was named as a sanctuary jurisdiction, said his department follows the law but has had disagreements with ICE over how enforcement should be handled at the jail.
What Happens Next?
As of June 3, 2025, the North Carolina Border Protection Act is still moving through House committees. If it passes the House, it will go to Governor Roy Cooper for signature or veto. Given the strong support from Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration, the bill has a good chance of becoming law.
If it does, North Carolina will join other states that have passed strict laws targeting sanctuary cities and increasing cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
What Should Immigrants and Local Governments Do?
If you live in North Carolina and are concerned about how this bill could affect you or your community, here are some steps you can take:
- Stay informed: Follow updates from the North Carolina General Assembly and local news outlets.
- Know your rights: Immigrants should understand their legal rights if stopped by police or contacted by ICE. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) provides helpful resources on this topic.
- Seek legal help: If you or a family member is affected by immigration enforcement, contact a qualified immigration attorney for advice.
- Get involved: Community organizations like Siembra NC offer support and advocacy for immigrant families.
For official information about immigration enforcement and local cooperation, you can visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website.
Looking Ahead: The Bigger Picture
The debate over the North Carolina Border Protection Act is part of a much larger national conversation about immigration, public safety, and the role of local governments. Supporters believe strict enforcement is necessary to protect communities and uphold the law. Opponents worry about the impact on families, trust in law enforcement, and the rights of immigrants.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of this legislation could set a precedent for other states considering similar measures. The balance between federal and local control, the rights of immigrants, and the responsibilities of public institutions like universities will continue to shape the future of immigration policy in the United States 🇺🇸.
Key Takeaways
- The North Carolina Border Protection Act (Senate Bill 153) aims to force local governments and universities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and bans sanctuary policies.
- The bill is part of a broader push by the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers to crack down on sanctuary cities and increase immigration enforcement.
- Supporters say the bill will improve public safety and hold local governments accountable.
- Opponents warn it could harm immigrant communities, erode trust in police, and overburden local law enforcement.
- The bill is still under consideration in the North Carolina House and could become law soon.
If you are affected by these changes or want to learn more, stay connected with trusted sources and seek legal advice when needed. Immigration laws and policies can change quickly, so being informed is the best way to protect yourself and your community.
Learn Today
Senate Bill 153 → North Carolina legislation increasing state enforcement of immigration laws and targeting sanctuary jurisdictions.
Sanctuary cities → Cities or counties limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants.
287(g) agreement → Formal partnership allowing local law enforcement to assist ICE in enforcing immigration laws.
Governmental immunity → Legal protection preventing cities or counties from being sued for certain official actions.
Immigration detainers → Requests by ICE to local authorities to hold suspected undocumented immigrants for federal custody.
This Article in a Nutshell
North Carolina’s Border Protection Act, Senate Bill 153, targets sanctuary cities and universities, enforcing strict cooperation with ICE. Amid national debate, it influences immigrant communities and government policies, shaping public safety and immigration enforcement statewide under the Trump administration’s directives.
— By VisaVerge.com
