Daijiworld Media Network – Charlotte
Charlotte, Nov 16: A large-scale Border Patrol deployment across Charlotte on Saturday triggered a wave of arrests and widespread fear, with federal agents reportedly stopping vehicles, detaining individuals and moving through multiple neighbourhoods.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the operation was part of efforts to “ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed.”
Local leaders, however, sharply criticised the sudden enforcement drive. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, County Commissioner Mark Jerrell and education board member Stephanie Sneed issued a joint statement saying the operation was “causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty,” adding that they “stand with all residents who simply want to go about their lives.”
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that he had been informed earlier in the week that Customs agents would soon arrive.
Paola Garcia of Camino, a bilingual nonprofit, said her team observed a surge in Border Patrol and ICE presence since Friday. “There have been lots of people being pulled over,” she said, adding that community members were reporting similar encounters.
Willy Aceituno, a US citizen originally from Honduras, said he saw Border Patrol agents chasing people on his way to work. He said he was stopped twice, and during the second stop, agents broke his car window, dragged him out, and questioned his citizenship. “I told them, ‘I'm an American citizen.’ They didn’t believe me,” he told AP, adding he was released only after producing documents.
Charlotte, a diverse city of over 900,000 residents, includes more than 150,000 foreign-born individuals. Community organisations have responded with rights-awareness sessions and discussions on peaceful protests.
President Donald Trump’s administration has defended such operations in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, saying they are essential for public safety and immigration enforcement.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said the “vast majority” of those detained had no criminal record and noted that some were US citizens. He urged residents to record any inappropriate conduct and report it to local authorities.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police reiterated that it had no role in federal immigration enforcement.