After days of speculation about the deployment of Border Patrol agents to Charlotte for a large-scale operation, the Sheriff Garry McFadden He confirmed today that agents from the federal agency will arrive in Charlotte as early as this weekend or early next week.
This means that both the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could be conducting a joint operation in the Queen City.
On Wednesday, November 12, several sources who requested anonymity confirmed to Enlace Latino NC , that ICE would join the operation.
Sheriff “will remain vigilant”
The sheriff said he was contacted by two federal officers on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 12, to confirm the deployment. However, specific details of the operation were not released.
So far, he said Sheriff McFaddenYour office has not been asked to attend or participate in any law enforcement actions of this federal agency.
The sheriff said his office “will remain vigilant and continue to focus on serving the needs of the community, as it has done every day.”
For more North Carolina counties: Where to report and verify ICE arrests or raids in North Carolina?
For reliable information and helpful resources, visit our Immigration Guide
CBP did not request cooperation
He also stated that his Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) will not be involved with any actions related to operations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, known as Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“We value and welcome renewed collaboration and open communication with our federal partners. This allows us to stay informed and be proactive in keeping Mecklenburg County safe and maintaining the level of credibility our community deserves,” the sheriff said in a statement.
Related: Disagreements escalate between ICE and Sheriff McFadden
The deployment to Charlotte had not been confirmed
Information about the possibility of the Border Patrol heading to Charlotte from Chicago was reported by national news networks. CBS y CNN near midnight on Monday, November 10.
CNN reported that three federal officials familiar with the planning said Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, along with his agents, would leave Chicago this week to lead their arrests to other locations such as Charlotte.
“Bovino and his officers are expected to head to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then continue on to New Orleans, according to two officials, who emphasized that the plans are still being finalized. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expected to continue operating in Chicago,” CNN reported.
Related: ¿Which North Carolina counties have the most ICE arrests?
Community leaders and members prepare
The news caused that Local and state leaders in Charlotte expressed concern about the presence of federal agents. and what this would mean for the immigrant community and issue a joint statement.
“You don’t have to feel unsafe in any county or city where you live,” the state senator said. Caleb Theodros , from the Distrito 41 from Mecklenburg County. “Instead of focusing on the issues that matter, for many towns, it seems like just another distraction.”
Likewise, the CharlotteEast organization convened an unprecedented virtual meeting, where more than 350 people participated, including community leaders, elected officials and former officials, members of community organizations, among others, in order to explore ways to prepare the immigrant community.
Police not involved
La Mayor, Vi Lyles , made a statement on Wednesday, November 12, through his count of (formerly Twitter), where he called for calm. “It is important that we stick to the facts we know, as there are many rumors in the community that, as far as we know, are unverified, and we do not want to cause additional alarm in an uncertain environment,” he wrote in his statement.
The mayor corroborated the statement made by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), which asserted that it "does not participate in ICE operations nor is it involved in the planning of these federal activities."
“CMPD would only get involved in situations where there is criminal behavior or criminal warrants that fall under its jurisdiction,” Lyles emphasized.
How to receive information and report ICE presence
The Carolina Migrant Network and Comunidad Colectiva have two lines dedicated to the community, one to receive alerts and another to report the presence of ICE.
To receive alerts Real-time updates on ICE presence in Charlotte-Mecklenburg: send the word “JOIN” to 980-336-4996.
To report the presence from immigration agents, call 704-740-7737.
Training for “verifiers”
Carolina Migrant Network y Collective Community They will be conducting in-person training for U.S. citizens who want to be "verifiers" of ICE operations and presence in Charlotte.
The training is designed to teach citizens how to identify and respond to the activity of ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies that detain immigrants.
When: November 14 Friday of 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: 3400 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.
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After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.
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