CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal agents began making arrests Saturday as Border Patrol deployments began in the city, a change the Department of Homeland Security said was intended to “ensure Americans are safe and threats to public safety are eliminated.”
Earlier in the day, local officials attempted to reassure residents as the impending operations created anxiety throughout the region, emphasizing that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is not involved in federal immigration law enforcement and urging the community to remain peaceful.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed earlier this week that he learned of Border Patrol’s plans to operate in the city.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said there have been “too many victims” of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and that President Donald Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem “will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians fail to do so.”
Community organizations reported an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and CBP agents in multiple corridors, including South Boulevard, Archdale, Arrowood, Central Avenue, Rosehaven and Sharon Amity, beginning early Saturday morning.
At his Latin bakery in east Charlotte, owner Manolo Betancur stood guard with a whistle around his neck and a key in the door, ready to lock up. His bakery is a staple of the immigrant community, and that same morning, he said, federal officials toured his parking lot as his staff prepared thousands of conchas, donuts for his customers.
“Many children have lost their parents this morning,” Betancur said.
A local reporter captured video of Border Patrol escorting a handcuffed man into a shopping center in east Charlotte. At another shopping center, officers were seen pulling a man out of his truck as they prepared to arrest him.
Officers were also seen in the Home Depot parking lot on North Wendover Road.
In recent months, federal immigration agencies have undertaken high-profile operations in cities such as Chicago, where a court order cited the warrantless detention of 85% of people arrested under Operation Midway Blitz and required the release of hundreds of detainees. In Portland, reports of protest activity and federal troop deployments tied to immigration enforcement sparked legal action and scrutiny over the use of force.
Mecklenburg County officials addressed this Saturday in their joint statement, saying Border Patrol operations “are causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community, as recent operations in other cities have resulted in the detention of people without criminal records and violent protests as a result of unwarranted actions.”
Inside Betancur’s bakery, immigrant advocates handed out wallet-sized cards explaining legal rights in English and Spanish, and advising people to refuse to answer questions or sign documents. Betancur took out his American passport, which he has carried despite being a citizen for decades. He said he fears officers won’t believe him because of his accent and appearance.
“My heart sank,” said Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, who visited the bakery to show her support. “When you come in and just corner people, and look for collateral damage, like that’s what you want, then I think you’ve crossed a line.”
As he spoke, Betancur repeatedly stopped to hug customers and look for unknown cars in the parking lot, worried they might be unmarked federal vehicles.
“I want my kids to know that when they come home tonight after their soccer game, they’ll be okay with their dad, but a lot of kids… won’t have their parents back tonight.” Betancur said.
Susana Gamboa and Nollaig O’Connor contributed.
