N.C. House Rejects Controversial Immigration Bill

CHARLOTTE- Members of the immigrant community in Charlotte gathered in Marshall Park on Thursday to voice their anger over house bill 10.

The bill would require sheriff’s offices across North Carolina to turn over every migrant they arrest to immigrations and customs enforcement, also known as ICE.

Stefania Arteaga is the co-executive director of the Carolina Migrant Network.

“Once again, we’re seeing immigrants being utilized as scapegoats by our state representatives for political gain,” she said.

Local immigrants living in the Queen City, like Hector Vaca, are outraged.

“We’ve already seen attacks on the black community. We saw Asian hate during COVID. This is about going after everybody now,” he said.

A 2023 American immigration report shows that North Carolina immigrants pay 8.4 billion dollars in taxes every year. Undocumented immigrants are estimated to pay more than 772 million each year. Immigrants believe that HB10 could have a big economic impact on North Carolina if it becomes law.

“We’re looking at a potential economic loss of $760 million just on immigrant labor taxes and contributions to this community,” said Arteaga.

These HB10 opponents are hoping to bring change.

HB10 will be sent back to committee to amend the language about who can file a complaint against a sheriff.