Federal officers spotted in Charlotte as elected officials back immigrant community

As masked federal agents appeared to detain people in Charlotte neighborhoods, Mayor Vi Lyles and other top local elected officials on Saturday told Charlotte’s immigrant community they have their backing.

“We want people in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to know we stand with all residents who simply want to go about their lives contributing to our larger community,” Lyles said in a joint statement with Mecklenburg County commissioners’ chair Mark Jerrell and Stephanie Sneed, chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education.

“Our region has thrived and grown because our strength lies in our diversity and our collective commitment to each other and to this community,” the elected officials said. “Let us all — no matter our political allegiance — stand together for all hard working and law-abiding families.”

The arrival of federal agents has caused “unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community,” according to the statement.

In the heart of the city’s immigrant community, a photograph posted on social media around 9:30 a.m. Saturday by Immigration Alerts CLT appeared to show two federal agents behind a man with his hands behind his back at Rosehaven Drive and Central Avenue.

“STAY AWAY FROM CENTRAL AVENUE,” Immigration Alerts CLT said on social media.

Border Patrol operations in other cities have led to people without criminal records being detained, according to the Charlotte elected officials’ statement.

The statement told people to protest peacefully.

Organizations are available to offer legal guidance on immigration matters and to answer questions about a person’s immigration status and rights, the elected officials said.

“If you need the police, don’t hesitate to call 911,” according to the statement. “Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department does not participate in Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations and is not involved in the planning or execution of any federal immigration enforcement activities.”

CMPD “does not participate in ICE operations”

The U.S. Border Patrol official expected to lead operations in Charlotte confirmed on social media Friday his agency’s move into the Queen City.

His troops shield their identities by covering their faces, something federal police had generally not done until this year.

He responded to criticism from state leaders.

“Immigrants rest assured, we have your back like we did in Chicago and Los Angeles,” Greg Bovino wrote on social media site X. “Rep. Adams, perhaps you & Gov. STEIN should learn the difference between an illegal alien & an immigrant. Illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities and should self deport via CBP Home.”

Friday morning, local and state leaders gathered outside the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center to demand transparency from U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Elected officials said they were blindsided by the news reported by national news outlets this week and confirmed by Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden Thursday. Leaders at the conference organized by N.C. House Democrats said they received no explanation for why Charlotte was chosen, what the federal mission is and how long agents might remain in the city.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers “are not authorized to assist with ICE administrative warrants, which are civil in nature and not criminal,” according to a CMPD statement on X Friday.

“The CMPD does not participate in ICE or CBP operations, nor are we involved in the planning or execution of any federal immigration enforcement activities,” according to the statement.

CMPD officers may participate “only when there is criminal behavior or a criminal warrant that falls under our jurisdiction,” officials said.

Most recently, U.S. Border Patrol stationed at least 200 agents in Chicago. The agency helps lead the Trump Administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Since September, border patrol agents have arrested 1,500 people, according to CBS News.

According to news reports, federal agents roamed the city and suburbs questioning people and using tear gas on residents and local police.

This is a developing story.

This story was originally published November 15, 2025 at 10:33 AM.