High Court ruling on immigration should not impact NC

Written by Stephanie Hawco/David Horn
Tuesday, 26 June 2012 10:30

(RALEIGH) -- The Supreme Court's decision on Arizona's immigration laws is being felt across the county, including local local enforcement agencies, but one chief law enforcement said North Carolina should not really be impacted by the High Court's decision.

The court threw out much of Arizona's law, but they will allow police to check the immigration status of suspects. North Carolina law enforcement officers operate under a law called 287G, which allows them to check a suspect's immigration status after they're arrested.

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said although some illegals will be caught, other legal residents can be vindicated. "One, if you're illegal we're going to find out, and two if you are legal and someone thinks you're illegal we're going to find that out too, so it'll put you back out on the street just as quick as it'll put you in our jail," said Harrison.

Harrison said he does not expect the Supreme Court's ruling to have much impact on how his agency operates.

High Court ruling on immigration should not impact NC