Local authorities in North Carolina have reported that federal immigration agents are planning to target Charlotte, the state’s largest city, which has prompted activists, community organizations, and elected officials to closely monitor the situation and support vulnerable residents. Despite no official announcement from the federal government, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden indicated that U.S. Customs and Border Protection could initiate enforcement operations as soon as Saturday or shortly thereafter.
This potential enforcement action marks another phase in the Trump administration’s strategy to deploy immigration agents or military personnel in some of the largest U.S. cities governed by Democratic leadership. This approach has generated significant fear and anxiety among undocumented residents and has led to numerous lawsuits challenging such tactics.
Charlotte is a racially diverse city with a population exceeding 900,000, which includes over 150,000 foreign-born residents. It is governed by a Democratic mayor, yet North Carolina’s congressional representation is largely Republican, with President Donald Trump winning the state in all three of his presidential campaigns. Interestingly, crime rates in Charlotte have been on the decline throughout 2024, with noted decreases in homicides, rapes, robberies, and motor vehicle thefts by over 20%, according to crime data from AH Datalytics.
Despite these statistics, the Trump administration has cited the August stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutskaha on a light-rail train in Charlotte as evidence that cities led by Democrats are failing to safeguard their residents. The accused perpetrator has a documented history of criminal activity and has been charged with her murder. However, there is currently no information suggesting that border agents would play a role in enforcing local or state laws.
The anticipated arrival of border agents in Charlotte has attracted criticism, with many locals labeling it an invasion. Community groups are mobilizing to train volunteers to protest and document any potential immigration sweeps, alongside efforts to educate immigrants regarding their rights. State Representative Jordan Lopez has commented on previous federal interventions in other cities, asserting that the experiences have shown the dangers of such government involvement.
Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell has also called on the public to respond to the situation peacefully in order to alleviate panic among residents. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has made it clear that it does not have the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and is not participating in operations led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
As for the involvement of the National Guard, there is currently no indication that it will be deployed to Charlotte. Nevertheless, three Republican members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation have pushed Democratic Governor Josh Stein to request such support. The governor’s office has maintained that local police forces are better suited for ensuring neighborhood safety.
The Trump administration has previously deployed the National Guard to various locations, including the District of Columbia and the Los Angeles area, citing crime reduction and the need to protect immigration agents. A legal ruling has temporarily halted the involvement of the National Guard in the Chicago area, highlighting the contentious nature of military involvement in local policing, particularly in immigration enforcement.
