North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the constitutional and legal rights of immigrant communities during a virtual meeting with community leaders on Wednesday, July 23.
Jackson participated in a forum organized by NC United Power for Action, a network representing more than 200 community and faith-based organizations across the state.
During the meeting, leaders raised concerns about threats to due process for immigrants, disparities in U visa certifications, and abuses against residents of mobile home communities.
“We have very explicitly said that we are going to defend due process… When you start making exceptions for due process as to who gets it and who doesn’t, then it functionally doesn’t exist anymore,” Jackson said. “The essence of what due process means is that everybody gets and everybody gets a day in court in front of an impartial judge. And it is my absolute number one commitment with respect to everything that I do to maintain rule of law and make sure that everybody has access to it.”
The forum was part of ongoing follow-up on commitments Jackson made as a candidate to more than 1,100 community leaders during the United Power for Action Assembly in Durham. At that time, he promised to meet with the group at least twice during his term, visit affected communities, and respond to reports of rights violations.
A Key Lawsuit: Birthright Citizenship
Jackson also addressed the lawsuit his office, along with 17 other states and Washington, D.C., filed against a Trump administration executive order aimed at restricting birthright citizenship.
This right is protected under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all persons born on U.S. soil, Jackson explained.
“I think we’re gonna win that lawsuit,” Jackson said. “We had a ruling that wasn’t exactly on the merits a couple of weeks ago, but my prediction is that the law is so clear on that point that that we are going to prevail.”
On Wednesday, July 23, a federal appeals court ruled the executive order unconstitutional. The Trump administration may appeal, potentially taking the case to the Supreme Court.
Disparities in U Visa Certifications
Another major topic was the inconsistency in U visa certifications, which are intended for victims of certain violent crimes who cooperate with law enforcement.
Immigration attorney Marina Castillo explained that “there’s a great deal of inconsistency in how state law enforcement agencies handle these certifications.”
Some departments have clear policies and process applications efficiently, while others make the process difficult, impose arbitrary limits, or deny cases without legal basis, she said.
Jackson acknowledged the disparities in how different counties issue U visa certifications and committed to reviewing law enforcement training.
“Geography should not decide justice. The same rights that apply in one county need to apply in all counties, or you don’t have real justice,” Jackson said.
“I think what I need to do is ask the justice academies in North Carolina, what, if any, training they are already offering. Take a look at that and see if it speaks to this particular problem, the disparity, which I’m happy to do,” he added.
>>> Fear of Deportation: Crime victims face long waits for U Visa protection
Abuses in Mobile Home Communities
The discussion also covered abusive practices affecting mobile home park residents, including misuse of fees, arbitrary water control, and the withholding of property titles.
At Las Américas mobile home park in Cary, community leaders reported that families who demanded their titles faced fee hikes and retaliation.
A representative from the Attorney General’s office reported that “at least 24 dozen titles” had been resolved and that the court system is continuing to work to ensure the remaining cases are successfully addressed.
Jackson also said he’s willing to attend community meetings organized by residents to hear their stories directly, including with interpreters in multiple languages.
“If there is evidence of systemic harm, we will act. That’s our role. We can’t represent individuals, but we can take action when there are widespread violations,” Jackson said.
“If I can prove like we did in Cary systematic harm, we’re going to take action. Now, we’re not really allowed to represent one individual that’s not where our office is set up. We’re set up to go after systematic harm”, he said.
“I would want to send a message to the folks who own these and are renting this out, the landlords here that the attorney general is going to care about this, and the attorney general is going to enforce the law when the law is broken,” he added.
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