As sheriffs in some counties ramp up for an anticipated crackdown and deportation on undocumented immigrants after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, Cherokee County law enforcement leaders don’t see significant differences from what they are already doing.
The Trump administration plans to implement strict border measures, strike down President Joe Biden’s policies and kick off the detention and deportation of migrants. Meanwhile, the N.C. General Assembly passed House Bill 10 earlier this year after overriding a veto by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Under the bill, starting on Dec. 1, all county sheriffs in North Carolina must cooperate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Justice & Public Safety portion of House Bill 10. Cherokee County law enforcement leaders say they don’t plan to conduct sweeps looking for undocumented immigrants, but will hand over such individuals if they are arrested for serious crimes.
“From what I understand, it will be for violent criminals picked up by local authorities,” Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith told the Cherokee Scout.
Murphy Police Chief Tim Lominac said as it pertains to deportation of immigrants, “I’ll leave it to the federal authorities.”
The Andrews Police Department is waiting for further guidance.
“Since this is my first time being the head of an agency during a time that an administration is making such promises, I plan to reach out to my contacts with larger state agencies for guidance,” Andrews Police Chief Caleb Stiles said. “But for now, we’re going to follow our everyday standard operating procedures.”
Those procedures mirror those of other local law enforcement pertaining to illegal immigrants. They don’t focus on illegal immigrants, but will take appropriate action if they run across one during regular law enforcement.
Existing state law requires law enforcement to determine the immigration status of individuals in their custody. House Bill 10 essentially requires law enforcement to detain those people an additional 48 hours until they can be handed over to federal immigration officials.
Cherokee County, like many counties in western North Carolina, has a share of immigrant population – some with legal status, some without. Most are nervous about what’s to come – those without legal status who might be swept up by law enforcement and deported, as well as those with legal status and even citizenship who get caught up in sweeps and have to prove their legal status.
These individuals play an important part in the local economy, working in restaurants, service industries and construction in a county where employers already have difficulty finding workers.