North Carolina lands 5 counties on DHS sanctuary jurisdiction list

Five North Carolina counties, all with Democrats in the office of sheriff, are on the Department of Homeland Security list of sanctuary jurisdictions.

The counties of Buncombe, Chatham, Durham, Orange and Watauga are the only entries in the state-by-state listing. Respectively, the sheriffs are Quentin Miller, Mike Roberson, Clarence Birkhead, Charles Blackwood and L.D. Hagaman Jr.

Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, made the release Thursday evening. It said the executive order of second-term Republican President Donald Trump – Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens – requires the publishing of the list of state and local jurisdictions that obstruct enforcement of federal immigration law.

A release from Homeland Security says in part, “Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.”

The list was created, it says, “to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens.

“Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.”

The release says the list will be updated regularly.