U.S. Border Patrol headed to Charlotte, Mecklenburg sheriff confirms
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Federal officials told Mecklenburg sheriff Border Patrol could deploy to Charlotte.
- Local law enforcement refuse collaboration; immigration enforcement is not their role.
- Agents relocating from Chicago may also head to New Orleans.
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Border Patrol in Charlotte
U.S. Border Patrol began making rounds in Charlotte on Saturday morning.
This follows recent Border Patrol activity in Chicago that made headlines, with some reports alleging agents violated people’s rights.
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Two federal officials told Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden that U.S. Border Patrol agents could be in Charlotte for enforcement as soon as this Saturday, according to a news release.
If not by then, they could be here early next week, McFadden said.
He did not know details of any planned operation, which was first reported by several national news outlets earlier this week. Border Patrol agents who have been in Chicago are reportedly coming to Charlotte and New Orleans. Little else is known.
Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have both said they do not discuss planned operations.
The sheriff’s office and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have said that they will not be working with federal agents, and that immigration enforcement is not their role.
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat who represents Charlotte, said in a statement Thursday that she is “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,” she said. “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and what we have seen border patrol and ICE agents do in places like Chicago and Los Angeles — using excessive force in their operations and tear gassing peaceful protestors — threatens the wellbeing of the communities they enter.”
Such tactics and values have no place here, she said.
U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, a Republican who represents parts of Mecklenburg County, said he supports the Trump administration’s efforts.
“Congressman Moore supports efforts by the Department of Homeland Security to keep our communities safe,” his spokesperson said in a statement to McClatchy on Thursday. “He has full confidence in our federal law enforcement partners and appreciates their ongoing work to uphold the rule of law and protect the people of North Carolina.”
In Chicago, federal agents roamed the city and suburbs questioning people and used tear gas on residents and local police, according to news reports.
This is a developing story.
Ryan Oehrli covers criminal justice in the Charlotte region for The Charlotte Observer. His work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
Washington correspondent Danielle Battaglia contributed to this report.
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM with the headline "U.S. Border Patrol headed to Charlotte, Mecklenburg sheriff confirms."
