Potential impact of new laws on Duplin’s undocumented communities

Last week, President Donald Trump issued several executive orders aimed at reforming the immigration system, fulfilling his promise to restore border security by prioritizing the deportation of criminal cartels and foreign gangs. However, this enforcement has created widespread panic among some immigrant communities as national headlines highlight mass deportations across the country.

Also last week, the Laken Riley Act was signed into law just a month after HB10’s passage. The Laken Riley Act makes it easier for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain and deport illegal immigrants accused of theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting.

“What it comes down to, is expanding the list of crimes that can be considered for a person who is arrested so that ICE has the right to come after them,” said Ilana Dubester, Hispanic Liaison director. She also explained that HB10, which is meant to remove undocumented immigrants accused of serious crimes, was to mandate compliance with detainer requests from a handful of counties.

“So, the change is not as drastic as one thinks. It’s not that now the police on the streets are going to be stopping people to take them to jail because of HB10, no. Only the people who enter the criminal system,” said Dubester, stressing that the focus of ICE is on deporting illegal immigrants who are being prosecuted. This can range from felonies like homicide, rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, and gang-related crimes to assault, child abuse, death by vehicle or assault with a deadly weapon to name a few.

Sheriff Stratton Stokes told Duplin Journal their focus remains on ensuring safety for all citizens.

“We want our community members to know that we are here to serve and protect everyone, regardless of their immigration status,” said Stokes. 

He also explained that while the law introduced additional duties, the staff had been adjusting to the new responsibilities with professionalism and dedication, and have been cooperating with ICE running Immigration Alien Queries well before HB10 was introduced.

Stokes told Duplin Journal that they have observed a heightened sense of caution among some people when contacting law enforcement and that for them it’s crucial to foster a relationship built on trust and openness with the community.

“To the immigrants and all citizens in Duplin County who may be fearful of law enforcement, I want to emphasize that our priority is the safety and well-being of all residents. If you haven’t committed any crimes, there is no need to fear reaching out for help or assistance,” said Stokes.

These are some of the changes initiated by execute action:

• Homeland Security officials have been directed to prioritize prosecution of immigration-related criminal offenses.
• A travel ban aimed at keeping terrorists out of the country was restored.
• Refugee admissions were suspended as of Monday, noting that the U.S. cannot absorb large numbers of refugees into our communities without jeopardizing available resources for Americans. Resumption of refugee admissions will be considered after 90 days, pending a report from the Secretary of Homeland Security addressing public safety, national security, preservation of taxpayer resources, and criteria for admitting only refugees who can fully  assimilate into the U.S.
• An order to end automatic citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the U.S. was signed, but it is being challenged in courts by North Carolina and 21 other states. This order would apply to children born in the U.S. 30 days after Jan. 20.
• All immigrant flights used for relocating illegal aliens were halted, and all entries through the Customs and Border Protection One app were shut down.
• Catch-and-release practices were terminated.
• The Migrant Protection Protocols policy, also known as the Remain in Mexico program, was restored to end asylum for individuals who cross the border illegally.
• Terminated all categorical parole programs.
• Established a requirement for DNA and identification for all detained aliens.
• Designated international cartels and transnational gangs as foreign terrorist organizations and restored the death penalty for drug dealers and human traffickers.
• Signed an order to pursue criminal charges and establish fines against illegal aliens and those who facilitate their unlawful presence in the U.S.
• Ordered the denial of public benefits to illegal aliens and the cessation of any public benefits for those not authorized to receive them.
• Ordered a review of all contracts, grants, or agreements providing federal funding to non-governmental organizations that directly or indirectly serve removable or illegal aliens and to terminate any agreements that violate the law.
• Immigration authorities now have the ability to enter schools, colleges, universities, healthcare facilities, churches, and even disaster relief sites to make arrests.
• Civil enforcement in or near courthouses is restricted to specific circumstances: national security matters, imminent risks of death or harm, imminent risk of destruction of evidence in a criminal case, or hot pursuit of a public safety threat.

Austin Obasohan, Duplin County Schools superintendent told Duplin Journal that the school system has policies and procedures in place that address visitors to the schools and the school system’s relationships with law enforcement. 

“While DCS is not aware of any immigration enforcement actions planned in our schools, we are working on protocols to ensure that our schools receive proper legal guidance should immigration officials come to a DCS school,” said Obasohan.

“The United States Constitution protects the right of all students to attend school, regardless of citizenship status. The Duplin County Schools will continue to serve the students in our community consistent with this right,” he explained.

Wallace Mayor Pro Tem Francisco Rivas-Diaz, emphasized the importance of being informed about current changes in immigration enforcement.

“It’s important not to react to rumors,” said Rivas-Diaz. “In the meantime we must continue to do things as normal and remember that united we are a stronger community.”

Data from the Migration Policy Institute indicates that more than 46 million immigrants live in the U.S.
According to the DHS, the population of unauthorized immigrants reached 11 million in 2022, making up 23% of the foreign-born population. Between 2000 and 2022, the population of lawful immigrants increased by 12.8 million according to Pew Research.