Photo: Alamy
Federal immigration officers are expected to arrive in the Charlotte area as early as Saturday as part of the Trump administration’s continued national crackdown on violent crime and illegal immigration, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.
Sheriff Garry McFadden announced that two federal officials informed him that Customs and Border Protection personnel would deploy to the region either this weekend or early next week. The Department of Homeland Security has not confirmed the operation, saying it does not “discuss future or potential operations.”
“We value and welcome the renewed collaboration and open communication with our federal partners,” McFadden said in a statement. “It allows us to stay informed and be proactive in keeping Mecklenburg County safe and to maintain the level of trust our community deserves.”
The anticipated action comes as the Trump administration continues a series of high-profile enforcement efforts nationwide. National Guard troops have been deployed to Chicago, Washington, D.C., Memphis and Los Angeles, while federal immigration authorities have conducted targeted raids. Attempts to send troops to Portland remain under controversy due to court challenges.
Charlotte became the focus of national attention in August when a Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on a train by an American man with a lengthy criminal record. This incident renewed debate over public safety and enforcement gaps.
Local officials say they have not been briefed on the potential operation or whether it will involve arrests, detentions, or collaborative work with county law enforcement. DHS has said only that it coordinates regularly with local jurisdictions on immigration and public safety matters.
RSBN previously reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi stated last month that federal authorities have made 1,700 arrests in Memphis since the Trump administration assumed oversight of law enforcement operations there.
Bondi said the arrests include 126 alleged gang members. She added that the task force has seized nearly 300 firearms and located about seven dozen children during the effort.
“Tolerating crime is a choice. Under President Trump, we choose law and order: residents of our cities do not have to live in fear of violent crime,” Bondi told Fox News. “Our federal surge into Memphis has put gang members behind bars, rescued dozens of children, and proven that collaboration between federal and local law enforcement can quickly make American cities safe again.
“I am grateful to all of our partners, especially Memphis leadership, for working closely alongside our agents,” she added.