New NC law targets illegal immigrants

Updated: 01/02/2008 07:33 PM
By: Johnell Johnson

MOREHEAD, N.C. -- One North Carolina sheriff says the law is on his side to help combat a growing problem. Places like Mecklenburg County have the 287 G program in place which allows law officers to identify arrested illegal immigrants and begin removal proceedings from the country.

"Not everybody can do it because the federal government can't afford it,” said Rowan County Sheriff George Wilhelm, who adds that North Carolina lawmakers hope new legislation will help every sheriff in the state fight illegal immigration.

A law, which went into effect Tuesday, now requires all sheriff's deputies to ask anyone arrested for a felony or for driving impaired if they are legal U.S. citizens.

Sheriff Wilhelm says his department already asks inmates about their citizenship, but this is the backup he needs from the state.

"By adding this on as a routine, it's not as much of a burden on the facility as it is to do one every now and then and try to remember who did you ask, who did you not ask, added Wilhelm.