Michael Whatley, a Republican candidate for the North Carolina Senate, recently addressed why the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ramped up operations in cities like Charlotte and Raleigh. He attributes this increase in enforcement directly to the vetoes enacted by his Democratic opponent, former Governor Roy Cooper, against several bills designed to enhance local cooperation with federal immigration law.
In a revealing interview, Whatley noted that ICE, along with Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, has seized at least 120 illegal immigrants in Charlotte, with plans to extend operations into Raleigh. He placed the blame squarely on Cooper, saying, “If Roy Cooper had not vetoed legislation that would have forced sheriffs to honor the ICE detainers, then these people would not have been on the street.” This points to a larger theme in Whatley’s rhetoric: local law enforcement, when hampered by political decisions, cannot adequately protect communities.
The political backdrop to this issue is significant. Cooper has vetoed at least three separate attempts by the Republican-majority legislature to pass laws that would enforce cooperation between local sheriffs and ICE. He critiqued one of the proposed bills, asserting it used “fear to divide North Carolina.” However, Whatley responds to this stance with a clear indictment, claiming Cooper has created a dangerous environment for North Carolinians by allowing undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds to remain unapprehended.
The governor’s spokesperson counters that local sheriffs opposed these Republican-led initiatives, citing a lack of resources to support the proposed policies. According to the spokesperson, “numerous North Carolina sheriffs spoke out against this legislation at the time because of a lack of resources,” suggesting that imposing such requirements could burden local law enforcement.
Moreover, Whatley did not spare criticism for local sheriffs who have resisted ICE detainer requests. He expressed concern over what he perceives as a deliberate refusal to act against “violent criminal illegal aliens.” Stating, “Thank God President Trump is standing up and defending the citizens of North Carolina by removing these violent criminals from the state,” Whatley places significant emphasis on the necessity of strong federal intervention in ensuring public safety.
Whatley’s comments reflect a broader narrative where federal enforcement is seen as a crucial support mechanism for state and local authorities overwhelmed by the implications of immigration policy. He argued that “the highest role of government is protection of the citizenry,” indicating that federal agencies must step in when he believes local entities fail to fulfill their responsibilities.
This political clash in North Carolina underscores the tensions between state leaders and federal agencies over immigration enforcement, safety, and the effectiveness of local law enforcement in managing undocumented immigrants. As the situation evolves, the stakes are particularly high in the context of upcoming elections, with each side aiming to position itself as the defender of public safety and order.
"*" indicates required fields
