As Border Patrol descends on Charlotte, groups form immigrant protection network
With U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents expected to blanket the Queen City this weekend, a coalition of local organizations has formed a protection network for Charlotte’s immigrant community.
The Charlotte Immigrant Protection Alliance “denounces” the federal action and will “share accurate information, help community members understand their rights and offer support in any way we can,” according to an alliance statement Friday.
“We want our immigrant neighbors to know they are not alone,” organizers said. “Our community stands united in protecting every family’s dignity, safety and rights.”
Coalition members include Carolina Migrant Network, Charlotte Democracy Center – Center for Common Ground, Common Cause, Democracy NC, Indivisible Charlotte and the Poor People’s Campaign.
“This moment calls for calm, solidarity, and truth, and together we are committed to keeping our community protected, respected, and supported,” the group said.
Greg Bovino, the U.S. Border Patrol official expected to lead operations in Charlotte, confirmed on social media Friday his agency’s move into the Queen City. He also responded to criticism from state leaders.
“Immigrants rest assured, we have your back like we did in Chicago and Los Angeles,” Bovino wrote on X. “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.”
Friday morning, local and state leaders gathered outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center to demand transparency from U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Elected officials said they were blindsided by the news, first reported by national news outlets this week and confirmed by Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden on Thursday. Leaders at the conference, organized by N.C. House Democrats, said they received no explanation for why Charlotte was chosen, what the federal mission is and how long agents might remain in the city.
Also Friday, Gov. Josh Stein encouraged people to document abuses via video.
“If you see any inappropriate behavior, use your phones to record and notify local law enforcement, who will continue to keep our communities safe long after these federal agents leave,” Stein said in a statement. “That’s the North Carolina way.”
“The vast majority of people they have detained have no criminal convictions, and some are American citizens,” the governor added.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers “are not authorized to assist with ICE administrative warrants, which are civil in nature and not criminal,” according to a CMPD statement on X Friday.
“The CMPD does not participate in ICE or CBP operations, nor are we involved in the planning or execution of any federal immigration enforcement activities,” according to the statement.
CMPD officers may participate “only when there is criminal behavior or a criminal warrant that falls under our jurisdiction,” officials said.
Most recently, U.S. Border Patrol stationed at least 200 agents in Chicago. The agency helps lead the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. Since September, border patrol agents have arrested 1,500 people, according to CBS News.
According to news reports, federal agents roamed the city and suburbs questioning people and using tear gas on residents and local police.
This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 7:19 PM with the headline "As Border Patrol descends on Charlotte, groups form immigrant protection network."