A HOUSE RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN IMMIGRATION COURT IN NORTH CAROLINA, URGING CONGRESS TO MAKE CONVICTION OF DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED A DEPORTABLE OFFENSE, AND SUPPORTING EXPANSION OF the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S PROGRAM PERMITTING LOCAL OFFICERS TO IDENTIFY PERSONS NOT LEGALLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES AND HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY DEPORTED OR WHO ARE WANTED ON OUTSTANDING FELONY CHARGES.
Whereas, the State of North Carolina is estimated to have had an increased foreign‑born population of 273.7% between 1990 and 2000; is estimated to have an illegal immigrant population of over 300,000; and is home to the United States' eighth‑largest population of illegal immigrants; and
Whereas, the North Carolina General Assembly concurs with Representative Sue Myrick and other members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation's assertions that the Atlanta Immigration Court's distance from the State of North Carolina presents an undue burden for North Carolina citizens and hampers efforts to combat criminal actions committed by illegal aliens; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives of the State of North Carolina supports United States Representative Sue Myrick and other members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation's calls to the United States Department of Justice to establish an Immigration Court in Charlotte, North Carolina, and urges the United States Department of Justice to establish an Immigration Court in North Carolina as soon as possible. The House of Representatives also calls on Congress to make a conviction in any state court of an offense of driving while impaired a deportable offense for any person not legally present in the United States, and urges the Department of Homeland Security to designate six additional North Carolina counties in its program under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit local officers to identify persons not legally present in the United States and who have previously been deported or who are persons wanted on outstanding felony charges in North Carolina or another state.
SECTION 2.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit certified copies of this resolution to each member of North Carolina's Congressional Delegation.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.