The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lists Buncombe County as a “sanctuary jurisdiction,” joining other cities and counties across the country that the agency says are not cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
In North Carolina, Buncombe County was listed alongside Chatham, Durham and Orange counties.
DHS claims the listed jurisdictions are “deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws, endangering American communities.” However, the list does not include specific information about why each jurisdiction was named.
DHS says each listed jurisdiction will receive formal notice of its “noncompliance with federal statutes.” “Consequences for Sanctuary Jurisdiction Status” includes a section called “Consequences for Sanctuary Jurisdiction Status,” and lists possible suspension or termination of federal grants and contracts.
News 13 reached out to Buncombe County government officials for comment and will update this story when one is received.
The U. A. Buncombe County is also listed by the Department of Homeland Security as a “sanctuary jurisdiction,” joining other counties and cities nationwide that the agency claims are not assisting federal immigration authorities.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi were instructed to identify and list jurisdictions that were deemed to be uncooperative with immigration authorities, according to an order issued on May 29 that cited a dot.
Various counties, cities, and sometimes entire states are included in the state-by-state list. Buncombe County was mentioned in North Carolina along with Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties.
The listed jurisdictions, according to DHS, are “endinganger American communities by purposefully and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws.”. The list, however, omits particular details regarding the rationale behind the designation of each jurisdiction.
As stated by Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller in February 2025, his office will not collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration laws in excess of what is mandated by state law (), which is applicable only after a crime has been committed.
“In the absence of probable cause of an independent crime, BCSO deputies will not be arresting and detaining persons to solely investigate immigration status, that is racially profiling and unconstitutional,” Sheriff Miller stated in a statement.
Every jurisdiction on the list will be formally notified of its “noncompliance with federal statutes,” according to DHS. “.”.
“Impact on Sanctuary Jurisdiction Status”.
comprises a section titled “Consequences for Sanctuary Jurisdiction Status,” which enumerates potential federal grant and contract suspensions or terminations. The DHS secretary and attorney general will “pursue all necessary legal remedies and enforcement measures” to get jurisdictions to comply, according to the statement.
sec. 3. . Sanctuary Jurisdiction Status Repercussions.
(a) In relation to sanctuary jurisdictions identified under section 2(a) of this order, the head of each executive department or agency (agency), in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and as allowed by law, shall designate suitable Federal funds, including grants and contracts, to sanctuary jurisdictions for suspension or termination as necessary.
(b) The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take all necessary legal actions and enforcement actions to stop these violations and bring such jurisdictions into compliance with U.S. law if States or local officials are informed of their sanctuary status under section 2(b) of this order and they continue to disregard Federal law. “,”.
Government representatives in Buncombe County were contacted by News 13 for comment; when one is obtained, this story will be updated.
