The Protect North Carolina Workers Act, which Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law Wednesday at the sheriff’s office, changes the way immigrants can legally identify themselves.

The bill, formally known as House Bill 318, was passed amidst a large amount of controversy. For most nights this month, protestors have voiced their opinions outside of McCrory’s house.

Now, North Carolina cities can no longer accept forms of identification that are not from a U.S. agency.

The acceptable forms of identification are pay stubs, utility bills, housing contracts, property tax receipts, automobile insurance policies and financial statements from financial institutions regulated by North Carolina.

Immigrants may no longer use documents from foreign embassies as identification. 

The limited forms of identification will affect those applying for work in government agencies, as well as those applying for food stamps. 

Also in this bill, cities are prohibited from enacting what are known as “sanctuary city ordinances.” This means that cities cannot pass laws that allow more forms of immigrant identification than are laid out within House Bill 318.

These sanctuary cities include Chapel Hill, Durham and Carrboro, as well as some other municipalities. 

Critics say the bill is unfair to people of low or no income because it will make it more difficult to obtain food stamps and apply for jobs. 

Critics also claim that it reduces the safety of the state by discouraging those without proper documentation to report crimes.  

Proponents argue that the bill acts as an aid to law enforcement, giving officers greater ability to enforce the law.

In a public statement, McCrory said, “Today, North Carolina is standing up for the rule of law, which is central to North Carolina’s values and our country’s values. Public safety officials must have the flexibility and tools to investigate crimes and sanctuary city policies deprive law enforcement of these tools.”