Josh Stein vetoes ICE cooperation bill in North Carolina

In North Carolina, on June 21, 2025, Governor Josh Stein vetoed legislation aimed at requiring state law enforcement agencies to collaborate closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This bill had already received bipartisan support, passing through both chambers of the state legislature. Stein justified his decision by emphasizing his constitutional obligations, referencing a ruling from the federal Fourth Circuit that prohibits local law enforcement from detaining individuals based solely on suspected immigration violations. He also expressed a commitment to holding serious offenders accountable, regardless of their immigration status. In addition, Stein vetoed another bill that would have allowed permit-less concealed carry of firearms in the state. He argued that this measure would make citizens less safe and undermine responsible gun ownership practices. Stein's administration seeks a balance between protecting Second Amendment rights and ensuring public safety. Responses to his vetoes have been divisive, with supporters applauding the governor's commitment to constitutional principles, while critics, mainly from the Republican side, have condemned him for prioritizing the interests of his donors over the safety of North Carolinians. These events occur in a tense political climate where immigration and gun control remain hot-button issues. The Republican leadership in the state has indicated a desire to override Stein's vetoes, suggesting that they will push the matter in future legislative sessions. Stein's action aligns with a broader pattern observed across the United States, where cooperation with immigration authorities is a contentious topic, particularly in regions experiencing significant immigrant populations. The debate around these policies is set against the backdrop of public sentiment, with various polls indicating differing opinions about immigration enforcement and gun rights among different political groups. In recent research, a majority of Americans believe it should be illegal for citizens to impede ICE's operations, reflecting a complex relationship between community safety, law enforcement, and immigration policy. As the landscape of these discussions continues to evolve, Stein's vetoes underline the ongoing tensions between local governance preferences and federal immigration enforcement strategies. This decision by the governor not only has immediate implications for law enforcement operations in North Carolina but may also set a precedent influencing similar legislative action in other states experiencing similar divisions over immigration and gun control issues.