The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, is on high alert following warnings that US Customs and Border Protection agents are poised to begin immigration enforcement operations. Local authorities, including Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, have indicated that the sweeps could start as early as Saturday, 15th November 2025, or shortly after the weekend.
The federal government has not made any public announcement about the planned operation, which is seen as part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to deploy immigration agents in major cities governed by Democratic leadership. This move has ignited significant fear within immigrant communities and prompted a wave of legal challenges.
Why is Charlotte a Target?
Charlotte is North Carolina's largest city, with a population exceeding 900,000 people. It is a racially diverse metropolis where more than 150,000 residents are foreign-born. While the city has a Democratic mayor, the state's political landscape is mixed, with two Republican US senators and a history of supporting President Donald Trump in past elections.
Official crime data complicates the administration's justification. According to AH Datalytics, crime in Charlotte was down through August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with homicides, rapes, robberies, and vehicle thefts all decreasing by more than 20%.
Despite this, the Trump administration has pointed to the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutskaha on a Charlotte light-rail train in August as evidence that Democratic-led cities are unsafe. A man with a long criminal record has been charged with the murder. It is important to note that border agents have no authority to enforce local or state laws.
Local Reaction and Community Mobilisation
The prospect of federal immigration sweeps has been met with strong criticism and organised action within the Charlotte community. Activists and local groups are training volunteers to safely document any enforcement actions and are actively informing immigrants of their legal rights.
State Representative Jordan Lopez voiced a common concern, stating, "We've seen what has taken place in other cities across this country when the federal government gets involved." Meanwhile, Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell has urged the public to remain peaceful and avoid panic.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has clarified that it will not be involved, emphasising it lacks the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and will not participate in the Border Patrol operations.
Is the National Guard Being Deployed?
As of now, there are no indications that the National Guard will be sent to Charlotte. Three Republican members of North Carolina's congressional delegation have pressured Democratic Governor Josh Stein to make such a request, but the governor's office has declined, asserting that local police are better suited to keep neighbourhoods safe.
The Trump administration has previously deployed the National Guard to other locations, including the District of Columbia, the Los Angeles area, and Memphis, Tennessee, citing crime concerns and a need to protect federal agents. A judge has so far blocked a similar deployment in the Chicago area.
The situation continues to develop, leaving many of Charlotte's most vulnerable residents in a state of apprehension as they await the federal government's next move.
