Immigration enforcement operations have officially begun in Charlotte, North Caroline, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Saturday. The development comes three days after initial reports emerged of increased operations being planned for Charlotte, as well as New Orleans.
DHS confirms immigration operations
On Saturday, The Associated Press reported that DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed a surge of federal immigration agents in the city, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
“We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed,” McLaughlin said. “There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens, and President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
The scale and scope of the immigration enforcement actions are not yet clear.
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Local leaders respond
A cadre of local leaders, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, issued a joint statement on Saturday, expressing support for the city’s residents and citing reports of U.S. citizens being detained in other cities, despite having no criminal record.
“It is critical for all residents to feel secure in our community and know they can live their lives without being fearful while walking down the street, going to school, work or the grocery store,” the officials wrote. “The expected U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (commonly called ‘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.”
The group went on to say, “Our region has thrived and grown because our strength lies in our diversity and our collective commitment to each other and to this community. Let us all — no matter our political allegiance – stand together for all hard working and law-abiding families.”
On Tuesday, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) issued a statement, explaining that the Trump administration had not coordinated its plans with local authorities.
“The MCSO has not been contacted by any CBP representatives regarding any potential operations, nor have we been involved in any planning or conversations,” the office stated, before adding a direct plea to federal officials.
“Given the current climate surrounding immigration and the potential for violence associated with law enforcement operations at any level, Sheriff [Garry] McFadden respectfully requests that any CBP activities taking place within Mecklenburg County be communicated to MCSO and local law enforcement in advance along with any relevant updates or points of contacts.”
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., condemned the planned actions. She said that she was “deeply concerned” by reports of U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the city.
“Charlotte’s immigrant community is a proud part of the Queen City, and I will not stand by and watch my constituents be intimidated or harassed,” Adams said in a statement. “Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and what we have seen border patrol and ICE agents do in places like Chicago and Los Angeles — using excessive force in their operations and tear gassing peaceful protestors — threatens the wellbeing of the communities they enter. Those tactics and values have no place in the City of Charlotte or Mecklenburg County.”
Charlotte or New Orleans?
President Donald Trump previously mused about sending agents to Charlotte or New Orleans. However, the recent killing of Iryna Zarutska on a commuter train in Charlotte has been seen as justification for a crime crackdown in the city.
According to the Charlotte Police Department, violent crime in the state’s largest city has decreased by 20% in the past year.
