North Carolina Mandates Police Cooperation with ICE Over Governor's Veto
On June 24, 2026, the GOP-led North Carolina House overrode Gov. Josh Stein's veto of SB 153, requiring state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE — a direct implementation of the Project 2025 blueprint for local policing in mass deportation. The override passed 71-47 after two Democrats were absent, lowering the effective three-fifths threshold from 72 to 71 votes, not because any Democrat defected.
On June 24, 2026, the North Carolina House overrode Governor Josh Stein's veto of Senate Bill 153, compelling state law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE. The vote was 71-47—exactly the number needed to reach the three-fifths threshold (72 votes) when all 120 members are present, but because Democratic Representatives Cunningham and Willingham were absent, the chamber operated at 118 members, requiring only 71 votes. WFAE and NC Newsline both confirm that no Democrat crossed party lines to vote for the override; the margin came entirely from Republican unity and two Democratic absences.
This law requires local police to receive ICE training and operate under federal immigration supervision, a model consistent with the Project 2025 blueprint. As the American Immigration Council has documented, when police act as immigration enforcers, victims and witnesses of crime—especially in Latino communities—are less likely to come forward, reducing public safety. The bill adds state-level enforcement machinery to the $70 billion ICE expansion already locked in through 2029. Reversing it will require either a legislative repeal (unlikely under current GOP control) or a legal challenge on constitutional or preemption grounds, such as arguing that SB 153 conflicts with federal immigration law's exclusive enforcement authority or violates the Tenth Amendment's anti-commandeering doctrine.
The humanitarian alternative
Instead of mandating local-federal immigration enforcement cooperation, North Carolina could invest in community-based public safety models that separate traffic and criminal enforcement from federal immigration status checks. State law already allows voluntary deputation agreements under 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g), but preserving local discretion protects immigrant communities' trust and prevents racial profiling. Funding for language access services, victim advocacy, and community policing would address actual safety needs without weaponizing routine encounters.
Falsifiable predictions
What this entry claims will happen, and what data would prove it wrong. The Reckoner revisits these against current reality.
- Within 90 days, at least one lawsuit will be filed challenging SB 153 under the Tenth Amendment or North Carolina state constitution, citing commandeering of state resources.
- Immigrant-rights groups will document a measurable drop in Latino residents reporting crimes (e.g., a 10-20% reduction) within six months in participating jurisdictions.
- By the end of 2026, at least three North Carolina counties or cities will adopt sanctuary ordinances or resolutions refusing to comply with SB 153, citing local autonomy.
Grounded in
- NC House Republicans override Gov. Stein's vetoes on anti-DEI and ...
- North Carolina bill requires state law enforcement to cooperate with ...
- North Carolina Republicans override vetoes, pass DEI, immigration ...
- Democrats' defections doom multiple vetoes from Gov. Stein
- Senate Bill 153-Ratified Bill - North Carolina General Assembly
- How does local law enforcement partner with federal immigration ...
- HB 370 | ACLU of North Carolina
Original source — excerpted
news North Carolina GOP Overrides Democrat Governor’s Veto of Pro-ICE Bill"The GOP-led North Carolina House overrode their Democrat Governor’s veto of a bill that requires law enforcement to work with federal immigration officials. T..."