North Carolina

NC governor: Border Patrol agents in Charlotte racially profile and stoke fear

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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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Gov. Josh Stein posted a video to social media Sunday evening criticizing Border Patrol’s weekend actions in Charlotte.

“To the CBP: If you know that we have violent criminals in Charlotte who are undocumented, we want them out too,” Stein said. “But the actions of too many federal agents are doing the exact opposite in Charlotte.”

The Democratic governor’s comments came on a second consecutive day of masked federal Border Patrol agents in the Charlotte area Sunday.

That led to more arrests and community concern around the region, with no indication when the government activity will end.

Border Patrol Agents check up on people on Sharonbrook Drive in Charlotte, NC on Sunday morning, Nov. 16, 2025.
Border Patrol Agents check up on people on Sharonbrook Drive in Charlotte, NC on Sunday morning, Nov. 16, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com

“We’ve seen masked, heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars, targeting American citizens based on their skin color, racially profiling and picking up random people in parking lots and off of our sidewalks,” Stein said. “Going after landscapers simply decorating a Christmas tree in someone’s front yard. And entering churches and stores to grab people.”

He said such actions are not making the community safer. “It’s stoking fear and dividing our community.”

The Democrat thanked protesters for remaining peaceful and encouraged Charlotte residents to keep documenting Border Patrol’s behavior when safe to do so. “That’s what we can do for our neighbors to keep each other safe,” he said, adding that “public safety is our top priority.”

Charlotte Observer editor Adam Bell contributed to this report.

Gov. Josh Stein, seen here in Charlotte at a September news conference about light rail safety, decried the work of Border Patrol agents in the city over the weekend.
Gov. Josh Stein, seen here in Charlotte at a September news conference about light rail safety, decried the work of Border Patrol agents in the city over the weekend. Chase Jordan cjordan@charlotteobserver.com

This story was originally published November 16, 2025 at 7:28 PM with the headline "NC governor: Border Patrol agents in Charlotte racially profile and stoke fear."

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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.