Federal immigration agents carried out a high-profile operation in Charlotte that led to widespread arrests and sharp reactions from local Democrats, with many critics quick to denounce the sweep but noticeably quiet after officials revealed the number and criminal histories of those detained.
The operation produced 130 arrests, and federal officials said at least 44 of those arrested had violent criminal records ranging from aggravated assault to known gang activity. That tally was described by authorities as a “worst of the worst” cache, and the presence of U.S. Border Patrol leadership on the ground underscored how seriously federal agencies treated the roundup.
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who grew up in Watauga County and attended Appalachian State University, was seen in Charlotte after recent deployments elsewhere. His return to familiar ground highlighted the federal commitment to the enforcement action and reminded local leaders that border security operations are not confined to border states.
Some local Democrats reacted with alarm before the arrests were tallied, calling the deployment an intimidation tactic and warning that immigrant communities would be harmed. Rep. Alma Adams said, “I am extremely concerned about the deployment of U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents to Charlotte,” and insisted that residents should not be “intimidated or harassed” by federal enforcement.
State Rep. Aisha Dew offered blunt criticism at a press event, saying “we do not need to have Border Patrol [here].” She also asked, “As I’ve already said, I’m not quite sure what border we’re patrolling here,” and declared that “[Charlotte] is a safe city. Our crime rates have gone down since the previous year. This is just another something out of the playbook,” yet she did not respond publicly once federal officials released the list of those detained.
Charlotte’s mayor and local leaders framed the sweep as creating fear in immigrant neighborhoods and urged caution from law enforcement. “First and foremost, the rights and constitutional protections of every person in Charlotte—regardless of immigration status—must be upheld,” the mayor said, calling for agencies to act with respect for fairness, dignity, and justice.
The mayor added that community support systems should be ready to help those concerned and encouraged residents to seek legal guidance when needed. “To everyone in Charlotte who is feeling anxious or fearful: you are not alone. Your city stands with you. We will continue working with community leaders, legal advocates, and service providers to make sure that resources, information, and support remain available,” she said, urging calm and compassion.
Governor Josh Stein responded in a more measured tone, saying he was in contact with state and local law enforcement as the raids continued and urging the public to “bear witness to what you have seen.” He told federal agents, “To the CBP — if you know we have violent criminals in Charlotte who are undocumented, we want them out, too,” while also criticizing some tactics he viewed as heavy-handed.
Stein accused federal agents in some instances of targeting people based on skin color and cited an anecdote about a landscaper who was detained while decorating a tree. He balanced that concern with support for “strong borders” and said he favors a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers, but he also blamed the broken federal immigration system on congressional gridlock.
What stands out politically is the contrast between Democratic leaders’ initial outrage about federal presence and their muted public response after federal authorities disclosed the number of arrests and the violent histories of many detainees. For voters and officials focused on public safety, the arrests raised straightforward questions about priorities and the responsibility to remove dangerous actors from the streets.
