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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte is awaiting the arrival of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as early as this weekend.
Local and state Democratic officials and community organizations held a press conference Friday opposing Border Patrol agents coming to Charlotte, which they said would create fear in the immigrant community.
Among the speakers was council member-elect JD Mazuera Arias, who is representing East Charlotte.
“This is personal. I know what fear feels like. I know what it feels like to have it in your bones,” Mazuera Arias said.
He said he is a former undocumented immigrant who grew up with a legal status in Charlotte.
“I heard from constituents all over District 5, which is East Charlotte, one of the most predominant immigrant districts in our city, say, ‘what does this mean for us? Is this true? Should we go? Should we stay at home? Should we take our kids to school?’” Mazuera Arias said.
In a statement, the office of U.S. Rep. Mark Harris, a Republican who represents a portion of Charlotte, said, “Congressman Harris continues to stand with law enforcement and supports deporting every criminal alien Joe Biden and radical progressive Democrats have let loose into our country.”
President Donald Trump has defended sending military units and immigration agents to other cities run by Democrats, saying the deployments are needed to fight crime and carry out his promise of mass deportations.
However, Mazuera Arias doesn’t see it that way.
“We have seen the horrors that took place in the city of Chicago and seeing people, CBP came and disrupted those people’s lives. So for me, it’s not about fixing crime or public safety, it’s about fear tactics,” Mazuera Arias said.
Carolina Migrant Network is a nonprofit providing free legal representation for undocumented immigrants in removal proceedings and detention facilities.
Communications director Daniela Andrade said they’ve received calls about Border Patrol agents in the city.
“I’m not aware that they have encountered them directly as of now. But what I can say is that the reports that we have been receiving is people just fearful and reporting and ready to protect each other,” Andrade said.
Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, a former state House speaker who now represents a district west of Charlotte, said this is a targeted operation.
“This is not going to be a matter of you’re going to have Border Patrol, like patrolling the streets, … this is a limited law enforcement activity where they have and presumably they know who it is they’re looking for. And these folks … are probably dangerous criminals,” Moore said.
He added community members shouldn’t feel fearful.
“Unless someone is a criminal, they don’t need to be fearful of anything. But if they are criminal, they should be fearful. If somebody is out here selling drugs, you know, engaging in human trafficking out here, spreading fentanyl that’s killing people. I hope they are feeling fearful and I hope they get arrested,” Moore said.
Mazuera Arias is sending a message to immigrant neighbors.
“You are not alone. You are seen. You are valued and you belong here,” Mazuera Arias said.
The Carolina Migrant Network said it is posting updates and partnering with community agents to see how they can support people affected by a potential immigration crackdown.
Immigration attorney Jamilah Espinosa said she recommends families have an action plan in case an undocumented relative is detained.
She added regardless of immigration status, everyone has constitutional rights and should remain calm and respectful when encountering federal agents.
“You have the right to decide that you’re not going to answer their questions. Also understanding the difference between public and private settings, they are able to enter public settings. If you are a private business, you can ask them to leave,” Espinosa said.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said they are not participating in any immigration enforcement operations.
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Estephany Escobar
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