Sheriffs Across North Carolina Urge General Assembly to Sustain Governor McCrory’s Veto of the “Reclaim NC Act” | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

    Raleigh, NC     Sheriffs from various counties across the state are expressing their support for Governor Pat McCrory's veto of the Reclaim North Carolina Act. The bill would expand the seasonal worker E-Verify exemption from 90 days to nearly nine months. That means seasonal workers working for up to 9 months would not have to go through the E-Verify system which confirms an employee and job applicant's citizenship and legal status.

    Governor McCrory vetoed House Bill 786 because it could allow unauthorized workers to take away jobs from legal, North Carolina residents. It's also unfair to North Carolina employers who contribute to the economic vitality of their communities by hiring permanent, legal workers.

    What follows are comments by North Carolina sheriffs supporting the governor's veto.

    Sheriff Sam Page, Rockingham County, in a communication to his fellow sheriffs:

    "This (HB 786) could lead to large loopholes for employers to take advantage of, if they were so inclined, and take away from North Carolina citizens in need of work...I would ask you all to look over this bill and call the members of our NC Legislature and let's voice our support of the governor in this veto."

    Sheriff Chipp Bailey, Mecklenburg County:

    "I absolutely support the governor's veto."

    Sheriff BJ Barnes, Guilford County:

    "Based on my experience in law enforcement the expansion of seasonal workers to nine months will lead to additional undocumented workers in the area and would greatly impact our schools, our hospitals, our roads and our local social programs. Not to mention the increase in unlicensed drivers, which means uninsured drivers and undocumented persons in our community. These workers also take away jobs from our citizens at a time when the unemployment in this state is at 8.9%

    "While I applaud the efforts of immigrants, whether they are legal or illegal, to get jobs and participate in the greatest country in the world, it should be done legally and above board by employees and employers alike. This is an issue that should be handled at the federal level but they have not. If the state must do the federal job, let's do it right. Come back during the short session and work on a bill we can all agree on that will benefit everyone."

    Sheriff Chris Batten, Columbus County:

    "We as law enforcement executives owe it to our citizens that have elected us to serve and protect them, to stand up for what is right, not just politically correct, and protect the citizens in our counties.

    "Let's take a stand and do what is right and support our governor. He has vetoed a bill that he felt would jeopardize the public safety which we are sworn to protect and it is my opinion we owe it to the citizens of our counties to support his decision."

    Sheriff Alan Cloninger, Gaston County:

    "I support the positions of Sheriff Barnes and Sheriff Batten."

    Sheriff Bill Schatzman, Forsyth County:

    "I agree with Sheriff Barnes and Sheriff Batten, and I support Governor McCrory's veto of NC HB786."


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
      govpress@nc.gov