The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed in a Saturday statement to Newsweek that the agency is “surging” law enforcement agents to Charlotte, North Carolina, amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on crime and immigration.
Why It Matters
Charlotte is a Democratic-run city in a swing state with roughly 1 million immigrant residents overall—just under 10 percent of the population. The city made national news in late summer when Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death on a train prompting discussion in Washington, D.C., about crime rates.
Prior to the announcement, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents were expected in the city as early as Saturday, but that details of the operation had not been shared. Several local officials and community members expressed discontent with the reported announcement.
The Trump administration reported in September that “2 million illegal aliens have been removed or self-deported in just 250 days.” President Donald Trump has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history.
What To Know
In a Saturday email, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to Newsweek that the agency is “surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens, and President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
The announcement comes as DHS has held significant operations in other U.S. cities, notably, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston and Memphis.
While Charlotte has not been a focal point in recent national immigration debates, the city drew international attention in August when Zarutska was fatally stabbed on a light rail train by suspect Decarlos Brown.
Ahead of DHS’s confirmation, the Democratic Mayor of Charlotte, Vi Lyles, issued a joint statement with the board of county commissioners Mark Jerrell and chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg board of education, Stephanie Sneed, telling the community, “the expected U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s operations are causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community as recent operations in other cities have resulted in people without criminal records being detained and violent protests being the result of unwarranted actions.”
The statement also informed community members not to hesitate to call 911, writing, “Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department does not participate in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations and is not involved in the planning or execution of any federal immigration enforcement activities.”
What People Are Saying
Democratic North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said in Friday statement: “Public safety is the top priority for all of us in government- that means fighting crime, not toking fear or causing division. We should all focus on arresting violent criminals and drug traffickers. Unfortunately, that’s not always what we have seen with ICE and Border Patrol Agents in Chicago and elsewhere around the country. The vast majority of people they have detained have no criminal convictions, and some are American citizens.”
JD Mazuera Arias, Charlotte City Councilmember-elect, said at a press conference on Friday: “Let me say this clearly. This is not about public safety. It is not about finding criminals. It is about fear. It is about quotas. And It’s about control. When federal agents enter our communities without warning, without cause and without humanity, they are not keeping us safe. They are terrorizing our neighborhoods, and we do not welcome out communities being terrorized and attacked.”
Greg Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector in Southern California, said in a Friday X post: “Immigrants rest assured, we have your back like we did in Chicago and Los Angeles. Rep. Adams, perhaps you & Gov. STEIN should learn the difference between an illegal alien & an immigrant. Illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities and should self deport via CBP Home.”
Representative Alma Adams, a North Carolina Democrat, said in a Friday statement: “I am extremely concerned about the deployment of U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents to Charlotte. Charlotte’s immigrant community is a proud part of the Queen City, and I will not stand by and watch my constituents be intimidated or harassed.”
Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said in an X post on Saturday: “Border Patrol and ICE are currently arresting and stealing our community members off the streets in Charlotte. Donald Trump is single-handedly responsible for this heinous actions. PLEASE report any activity you see. And know that our party stand with ALL immigrant communities.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a Saturday email: “Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors.”
What Happens Next?
Videos circulating online show Charlotte residents protesting the agents’ presence. It is not clear how long agents are expected to be stationed in the city.
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