Policy Platform

• Protect local control over facilities and personnel.

• Clarify that:

  • State and local agencies are not required to engage in civil immigration enforcement beyond federal mandates.

• Oppose unfunded mandates that shift federal enforcement costs onto counties.

Oversight

• Require reporting on:

  • County costs of ICE cooperation

  • Legal settlements tied to unlawful detention

• Fund legal orientation and “know your rights” education (not evasion).

What They Can Lawfully Do

• Set access rules for city- and county-owned buildings (city halls, libraries, recreation centers, public health offices).

• Establish employment policies for municipal and county staff.

• Control local funding, contracts, and use of public resources.​

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Recommended Actions

• Adopt a Non-Voluntary Assistance Policy stating that:

  • City/county employees will not assist in civil immigration enforcement unless legally required.

  • ICE access to non-public areas of local facilities requires a judicial warrant.

• Prohibit use of local funds, equipment, or personnel for immigration enforcement activities not mandated by law.

• Require that any federal enforcement request be routed through the city or county attorney for legal review.

• Designate schools, libraries, health clinics, and permitting offices as community safety facilities, with clear protocols for staff.

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Why This Is Legal in NC

• Local governments are regulating their own operations, not federal enforcement.

• Requiring warrants is a constitutional standard, not obstruction.

• Declining voluntary cooperation is lawful under NC and federal law.

A. Role of the Sheriff in North Carolina

• Sheriffs are elected by county voters and control:

  • County jails

  • Patrol and criminal enforcement priorities

• Participation in ICE programs (such as 287(g) agreements) is optional, not required by state law.

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B. Platform for NC Sheriffs

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Public Commitments

• “My office enforces criminal law, not civil immigration law.”

• “We do not ask victims, witnesses, or people we stop about immigration status.”

• “We require a judicial warrant before holding anyone solely for ICE.”

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Operational Policies

• Decline ICE detainers without a judicial warrant.

• End or refuse participation in 287(g) agreements, citing:

  • Increased liability for counties

  • Reduced crime reporting

  • No proven public safety benefit

• Ensure jail staff understand the difference between criminal warrants and civil detainers.

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Why This Is Lawful in NC

• NC law does not mandate 287(g).

• Courts have repeatedly found counties liable for unlawful detention based on civil detainers alone.

• Sheriffs retain discretion over enforcement priorities.

A. What NC School Districts Control

• Access to school grounds

• Student records (protected under FERPA)

• Staff training and family communication

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B. School Safety Policies

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District-Level Policies

• Require a judicial warrant for ICE access to students or non-public school areas.

• Prohibit staff from sharing student or family information without legal review.

• Designate schools as safe learning environments focused solely on education.

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Family-Facing Commitments

• Multilingual communication affirming that:

  • Schools do not conduct immigration enforcement

  • Attendance is safe and encouraged

• Clear guidance for staff on responding calmly and legally to enforcement presence.

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Why This Is Legal in NC

• School boards have authority over campus access and student safety.

• Federal education privacy laws reinforce limits on information sharing.

A. What NC Businesses Can Do

• Set policies for non-public areas (back offices, kitchens, employee spaces).

• Require warrants before releasing records, not otherwise required by law.

• Decide whether to voluntarily cooperate with civil enforcement (they are not required to).

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B. Business Coalition Strategy

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Commitments

• Post clear signage: “We serve everyone. Warrants required for non-public access.”

• Train managers on what ICE can and cannot demand.

• Refuse voluntary participation in enforcement activities.

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Local Government Partnership

• Chambers of commerce document:

  • Lost revenue

  • Staffing disruptions

  • Economic harm during enforcement activity

• Present findings to city councils and county commissioners as economic development issues.

A. Legal Standing

• Churches are private property.

• They may lawfully deny entry to non-public areas without a warrant.

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B. Faith-Based Commitments

• Maintain written policies requiring legal review before granting access.

• Coordinate with legal aid and local officials to provide calm, accurate information.

• Serve as stabilizing institutions, not enforcement extensions.

• It respects Dillon Rule limits.

• It recognizes sheriffs’ independence.

• It avoids state preemption traps.

• It reduces legal liability for counties.

• It protects local economies and public safety without obstructing federal law.

Sheriff

• “Public safety in North Carolina depends on trust. My office enforces criminal law, protects victims, and follows the Constitution. Civil immigration enforcement is not my role.”

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City Council / County Commissioner

• “Our job is to keep our local economy strong and our public spaces safe. We set clear, lawful boundaries so federal actions don’t destabilize our communities.”

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State Representative

• “North Carolina thrives when families are stable and workers can participate without fear. State law should protect constitutional limits and local decision-making.”