Border Patrol agents have arrived in Charlotte as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to boost deportations and public safety.
U.S. Border Patrol agents began a long-awaited operation this weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts, the Department of Homeland Security said.
“We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed,” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said. “There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens, and President Trump and [DHS Secretary Kristi] Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
Charlotte joins other cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Memphis, and Portland, targeted for federal intervention. Crime in Charlotte is down, but the city drew national attention after the August killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. Local leaders remain divided: Sen. Thom Tillis opposed federal action, while some Republican lawmakers urged National Guard deployment.
The Trump administration has increasingly relied on Border Patrol to accelerate deportations, amid criticism of aggressive tactics during prior operations. Charlotte’s foreign-born population now accounts for roughly 9% of residents.