CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal agents have started making arrests Saturday as Border Patrol deployments began in the city, a shift the Department of Homeland Security said was intended to "ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed."
Earlier in the day, local officials sought to reassure residents as the looming operations created anxiety across the region, emphasizing that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department does not participate in federal immigration enforcement and urging the community to remain peaceful.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed earlier this week he learned of Border Patrol's plans to operate in the city.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said there have been "too many victims" of crimes by undocumented immigrants and that President Donald Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem "will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
Community organizations reported a heightened presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and CBP officers across 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 watch 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 earlier that morning, he said, federal officials swept through his parking lot as his staff prepared thousands of conchas, doughnuts for their customers.
“A lot of children have lost their parents this morning,” Betancur said.
A local reporter captured video of Border Patrol escorting a man in handcuffs at a shopping center in east Charlotte. At another shopping center, agents were spotted pulling a man out of his truck as they prepared to take him into custody.
Agents were also spotted at a 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 judicial order cited warrantless detention of 85% of the individuals 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 use of force.
Mecklenburg County officials touched on this Saturday in its joint statement, saying the Border Patrol "operations are causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community as recent operations in other cities have resulted in people without criminal records being detained and violent protests being the result of unwarranted actions."
Inside Betancur's bakery, migrant advocates handed out wallet-sized cards explaining legal rights in English and Spanish, advising people to decline to answer questions or sign documents. Betancur pulled out his U.S. passport, which he carries despite being a citizen for decades. He said he fears agents 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 support. “When you’re coming and just rounding up people, and you’re looking for collateral damage, like that’s what you want, then I think that you’ve crossed a line."
As he spoke, Betancur repeatedly paused to hug customers and scan for unfamiliar cars in the parking lot, concerned they could be unmarked federal vehicles.
"I want my kids to know when they come home tonight after their soccer game they’re going to be fine with their father, but a lot of kids... they’re not going to have their parents back tonight.” Betancur said.
