Trump’s next immigration sweep is set to hit Charlotte, raising tension across the city.
Eko Hot News reports that Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed receiving information from two federal officials that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents may begin enforcement operations in Charlotte as early as this weekend or early next week. McFadden said the specifics of the operation remain unknown, and his office has not been asked to assist.
Local officials and advocacy groups have already begun mobilizing to support immigrant communities, sharing resources and calming fears. A major briefing organized this week drew hundreds of residents seeking guidance, information, and reassurance.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has clarified that it has no authority to enforce federal immigration laws and is not participating in the planned operation. Still, circulating reports of plainclothes officers appearing in neighborhoods and on public transit have heightened concerns, drawing comparisons to the confusion that unfolded during Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago.
That Chicago operation, led by Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino, expanded rapidly and resulted in thousands of arrests across the region. Charlotte leaders fear a similar scenario may emerge, especially given the city’s significant immigrant population and its prominence in upcoming political contests.
Community groups, including Indivisible Charlotte and the Carolina Migrant Network, are preparing volunteers with training on identifying legitimate immigration agents and understanding personal rights. They are also planning peaceful protest strategies, emphasizing caution and community solidarity as Charlotte braces for possible federal action.
