Gov. Roy Cooper vetoes anti-immigrant bill, saying it uses 'fear to divide North Carolinians'

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has again vetoed anti-immigrant legislation passed by Republicans that would have forced local law enforcement to cooperate with federal deportation agents. The Democratic governor vetoed a similar bill in 2019, and as was the case at that time, anti-immigrant Republicans likely won’t have the votes to override him. “Not a single Democrat voted for the final bill and Republicans lack veto-proof majorities in either chamber,” the Associated Press reports. 

In his veto statement, Cooper correctly called the bill a tool to “score political points,” that it seeks to use “fear to divide North Carolinians,” and that it’s “unconstitutional.” The veto was applauded by immigrant rights advocacy groups, and by the sheriff of the state’s largest county.

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