Sen. Theodros files bill in North Carolina Senate to restrict immigration enforcement and repeal session law

A new bill filed by State Sen. Caleb Theodros aims to restrict immigration enforcement and increase protections for individuals and workplaces in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 982 on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Make Enf. Liable & Transparent (MELT) Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill repeals Session Law 2025-85 and restricts immigration enforcement in North Carolina by requiring a judicial warrant, not just an administrative detainer, for arrests, searches, custody transfers or access to state records, and by barring jails from holding people past their state release time solely for immigration reasons. It appropriates $4 million in 2026-27 for grants to four nonprofit legal service providers for immigrant defense and related services, and mandates body cameras, visible agency ID and limits on face coverings for law enforcement, including federal officers. The bill also heightens penalties for impersonating federal officers, bans 287(g) agreements, prohibits immigration arrests in specified “safe spaces,” requires DHS to report detainees and deportees to the governor, and protects workplaces that train employees on Fourth Amendment rights. Key provisions take effect beginning July 1, 2026.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Natalie S. Murdock proposed the most bills (104) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Theodros graduated from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte with a BA.

Theodros, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 41st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Natasha Marcus.