Cal Cunningham Silent on Erica Smith’s Vote to Allow Violent Illegal Immigrants to Roam North Carolina | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    Charlotte, N.C.     After yesterday's WBTV-Charlotte report that nearly 500 undocumented immigrants have been released from jails across the state in the past ten months despite detainers filed against them by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cal Cunningham is refusing to condemn his primary opponent for her role in the development. State Senator Smith recently voted against HB 370, legislation that would prevent such occurrences by requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE when they issue requests to hold illegal immigrants in jail even after they are eligible for release on their state charge.

    According to WBTV-Charlotte, "the nearly 500 undocumented immigrants who have been released in FY19 despite a federal detainer include people charged with sex offenses, kidnapping, arson and homicide."

    "Erica Smith has made it clear that she favors continuing to allow violent illegal immigrants to roam freely on the streets of North Carolina, and it's disgraceful that Cal Cunningham won't condemn her recent vote in favor of such a policy," said Tillis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo. "While Senator Tillis is fighting to hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable and keep North Carolinians safe, the Democratic field is content to cast aside the rule of law in order to curry favor with Chuck Schumer."

    The WBTV report came on the same day as the Fayetteville rally where President Trump praised Senator Tillis for his commitment to curbing illegal immigration and his legislation to hold dangerous sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for failing to comply with federal authorities.

    Tillis recently introduced the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, which holds sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for failing to comply with lawful detainer and release notification requests made by federal authorities. The legislation creates a private right of civil action for the victims of sanctuary jurisdictions, allowing them to bring an action for compensatory damages against the sanctuary jurisdiction as a result of a violent crime committed by an illegal immigrant.

    The measure was in response to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office's decision earlier this year to ignore an ICE detainer and release Pacheco-Leonardo following his arrest on charges including first-degree rape and indecent liberties with a minor.

• Contact: Andrew Romeo
•     andrew@thomtillis.com