A new bill filed by State Rep. Neal Jackson in the North Carolina House seeks to strengthen sentencing for individuals convicted of crimes related to immigration offenses and criminal conspiracies, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 261 on March 3 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Sent. Enhancement/Immigration-Related Crimes.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill implements sentence enhancements for individuals convicted of certain felonies or misdemeanors while committing immigration-related offenses or engaging in criminal activity in North Carolina. It prescribes that individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. who are convicted of a felony, excluding Class A felonies, will face a sentencing increase of one class if deported previously or two classes if previously convicted of re-entering the U.S. illegally. Additionally, those involved in felony or misdemeanor offenses while conspiring to further criminal activity will also face a one-class upgrade in sentencing, but a Class A1 misdemeanor elevated to a Class I felony. The bill requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, unless a guilty plea is made, and it becomes effective December 1, 2025, applicable to offenses from that date.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Bill Ward proposed the most bills (17) 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.
Jackson, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 78th House district, replacing previous state representative Allen McNeill.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neal Jackson, Bill Ward, Brian Biggs, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 261 | 03/03/2025 | Sent. Enhancement/Immigration-Related Crimes. |
| Neal Jackson, Brenden H. Jones, Brian Biggs, and Brian Echevarria | HB 244 | 02/27/2025 | Depoliticize Government Property Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 186 | 02/24/2025 | The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Bill Ward, Donnie Loftis, and Keith Kidwell | HB 162 | 02/21/2025 | Local Gov’t Applicants/Criminal History Check. |
| Neal Jackson, Blair Eddins, Brenden H. Jones, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 171 | 02/21/2025 | Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. |
| Neal Jackson, Jeff Zenger, Jennifer Balkcom, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 133 | 02/17/2025 | NC Farmland and Military Protection Act. |
| Neal Jackson and Jimmy Dixon | HB 126 | 02/13/2025 | Revise Voluntary Ag. District Laws. |
| Neal Jackson, Blair Eddins, Howard Penny, Jr., and Jimmy Dixon | HB 130 | 02/13/2025 | Agriculture Crops Disaster Relief. |
| Neal Jackson, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., John Sauls, and Paul Scott | HB 100 | 02/11/2025 | Expand Religious Property Tax Exemption. |
| Neal Jackson, Blair Eddins, Brian Biggs, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 87 | 02/10/2025 | Cell Phone-Free Education. |
| Neal Jackson, Jennifer Balkcom, Jimmy Dixon, and Karl E. Gillespie | HB 62 | 02/05/2025 | Farmers Protection Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 31 | 02/03/2025 | Make Election Day A State Holiday. |
| Neal Jackson, Cody Huneycutt, Julia C. Howard, and Paul Scott | HB 37 | 02/03/2025 | Enhance Firefighter Benefits & Representation. |
