July 8, 2025
Stein, who is a Democrat in a Republican-led state, called the bills “mean-spirited.”
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoes multiple controversial bills on anti-DEI and immigration. Stein, who is a Democrat in a Republican-led state, called the bills “mean-spirited.” At least four of the bills Stein vetoed would have put an end to state-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, along with limiting LGBTQ and transgender rights.
“At a time when teachers, law enforcement, and state employees need pay raises and people need shorter lines at the DMV, the legislature failed to pass a budget and, instead, wants to distract us by stoking culture wars that further divide us,” said Stein.
Stein added that the bills “would marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education.”
For Republican lawmakers, eliminating DEI has been a significant focus at the federal, state, and local levels nationwide. They pitch the legislation as eliminating structured racial bias in government and publications while protecting women and empowering parents.
A Look At North Carolina’s Anti-DEI Bills
House Bill 171, House Bill 805, Senate Bill 227, and Senate Bill 558 would have restricted transgender and LGBTQ rights and DEI efforts in public schools, as well as state and local government agencies.
House Bill 171 would have also barred state agencies from promoting workplace DEI practices or programs and prohibited state agencies or units of local government from using federal funds that require compliance with DEI initiatives, the Duke Chronicle reports.
Meanwhile, in Senate Bill 227, it would have banned the discussion of “divisive concepts” related to race and sex in K-12 public school classrooms, including notions that “particular character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs should be ascribed to a race or sex.”
Senate Bill 558 would have extended DEI restrictions into higher education by prohibiting DEI-related topics in curriculum and classroom discussion at public colleges and universities.
Stein says he’s ready to work with the state legislature when they “get serious about protecting people and addressing North Carolinians’ pressing concerns.”
Stein Vetoes Immigration Bills For North Carolina
Stein also vetoed two bills aimed at tightening state and local enforcement of illegal immigration. Senate Bill 153 and House Bill 318 would require North Carolina’s law enforcement agencies to “cooperate to the fullest extent of the law” with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Under the proposed bill, law enforcement officers would be required to contact ICE when immigrants lacked permanent legal status.
“At a time when our law enforcement is already stretched thin, this bill takes state law enforcement officers away from their existing state duties and forces them to act as federal immigration agents,” Stein said on Senate Bill 153.
Stein also called House Bill 318 “unconstitutional” because it would require law enforcement to detain individuals for up to 48 hours before release. He says the clause violates the Fourth Amendment.
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