Where do the NC governor candidates Mark Robinson, Josh Stein stand on immigration?

Immigration has become a leading issue in the 2024 election, especially for Republicans, and the gubernatorial race in North Carolina is no exception. Highlighting its importance, the first bullet point in the Republican Party’s platform is to "SEAL THE BORDER, AND STOP THE MIGRANT INVASION” and the second is to “CARRY OUT THE LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY.”

Immigration has also taken the spotlight in North Carolina politics. During the General Assembly’s short session, the legislature took up House Bill 10, a bill requiring sheriffs to comply with ICE detainers, although it didn’t become law, and a citizens-only voting amendment that will appear on the ballot this November.

Taking a page from national Republicans, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for North Carolina governor, has centered many of his attacks on his Democratic competitor Josh Stein over immigration. Stein, the current attorney general, has focused less on immigration particulars and more on law enforcement and safety in the state in general.

Here’s where the candidates for governor stand on the issue.

Mark Robinson, Republican

Robinson’s campaign has largely echoed the national Republican’s stance on immigration, and the topic has become a key sticking point for targeting his opponent.

An ad released by the Republican Governors Association slams Stein calling him “soft on crime.” Another ad claimed Stein doesn’t support law enforcement and that he doesn’t believe in sanctuary cities.

The current lieutenant governor took a firm stance on HB 10, saying it would make North Carolina safer.

“I was pleased to learn that the North Carolina Senate has passed House Bill 10, which will crack down on sanctuary cities by requiring our state’s sheriffs to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to keep dangerous criminal aliens who’ve illegally entered our country through Joe Biden’s open border off our streets,” Robinson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, in May adding that he would sign into law the bill if he were governor.

Robinson has been outspoken about immigration on social media. Since President Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, many of Robinson’s jabs focus on drawing a connection between Stein and Harris, whom the Republican Party is calling a “border czar,” a label and job she was never actually given by Biden.

“When it comes to sanctuary cities, higher prices, and radical energy policies, @JoshStein_ and Kamala Harris are one and the same,” Robinson posted on X. “Under the Harris-Stein agenda, it would get even worse for North Carolina families."

Josh Stein, Democrat

Stein has focused many of his efforts as attorney general on addressing the fentanyl crisis. He called on Congress to contribute millions for fentanyl scanners at the border and leads a Fentanyl Task Force within the North Carolina Department of Justice. These efforts, his campaign says, are about making North Carolinians safer.

He supports the bipartisan border security deal that went before U.S. Congress this year, his campaign said, and he has worked to prosecute violent criminals and address the rape kit backlog.

“In addition to prosecuting drug traffickers, we’re also working on a bi-partisan basis to tackle the fentanyl crisis,” Stein writes on his campaign website.

Stein also wants to address the police officer shortage by providing bonus incentives, and he is endorsed by more than 15 sheriffs.

Unlike Robinson, Stein did not take a solid stance on the bill requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, but he told the News & Observer that border security needs to be strengthened and that immigrants should be invited into the country if entering.

Stein, acting as the top cop in the state, has also advocated for DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

“Dreamers should be able to study, work, and contribute to our communities without fear of deportation – a right that the U.S. Supreme Court has reaffirmed,” Stein said in a 2023 press release. “I’ll continue to fight to protect Dreamers and their right to stay in the United States.”

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Sarah Gleason is the North Carolina Election Reporting Fellow for Gannett.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NC governor race: Where Josh Stein, Mark Robinson stand on immigration