Federal CBP Agents Expected in Charlotte as Uptown Homicide Rate Jumps 200%

Federal CBP Agents Expected in Charlotte amid Rising Violent Crime

Federal officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are expected to arrive in the Charlotte area within days, local officials confirmed. The planned deployment highlights growing tensions between federal immigration-enforcement efforts and policies in many Democratic-led cities.

Local Officials Stress Limited Involvement

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said it was notified of the impending federal presence but emphasized it has not been asked to assist in any operations. A department spokesperson told Fox News Digital the sheriff’s office has "zero involvement or participation in any CBP immigration enforcements or operations." Sheriff Garry L. McFadden, a Democrat, said his office will continue to share information with federal partners while avoiding direct participation in immigration enforcement.

"It allows us to stay informed and be proactive in keeping Mecklenburg County safe and to maintain the level of trust our community deserves," McFadden said.

Federal Rationale and National Context

Federal officials say the deployments are part of an expanded effort to disrupt smuggling networks and identify migrants who entered the country unlawfully. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital, "Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country. We do not discuss future or potential operations."

These operations are not unique to Charlotte. In recent months, CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel have also been sent to metropolitan areas such as Chicago and Washington, D.C. Some deployments have prompted sustained protests — notably in Portland, Oregon — where demonstrations and clashes with federal agents have occurred.

Crime Trends and Local Debate

The federal announcement comes as Charlotte faces renewed scrutiny over violent crime. Republican lawmakers have urged Democratic North Carolina Governor Josh Stein to deploy the National Guard; the governor has resisted, and local leaders maintain that public safety is primarily a local responsibility.

A letter from three Republican lawmakers cited a recent cluster of killings and rising assault numbers: "Recently, the city faced eight homicides in seven days. The murder rate in uptown Charlotte is now 200% higher than it was a year ago." They also referenced Fraternal Order of Police data showing aggravated assaults with knives or guns rising from 86 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, and personal strong-arm robberies increasing from 26 to 31 over the same period.

Charlotte Police Department quarterly statistics show increases in several categories, including violent crime, commercial burglaries and thefts from vehicles compared with last year. However, other categories — such as homicides, rapes, property crimes and arson — are modestly lower than 2024 levels, and many current figures remain below rates reported in 2022 and 2023.

Notable Incident Highlighting Concerns

On Aug. 22, the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska drew attention after surveillance footage showed her being attacked while returning home from work at a pizzeria. Police identified the accused attacker as Decarlos Brown Jr., whom authorities describe as a repeat offender with an extensive criminal history. The suspect has been publicly identified by police as part of the ongoing investigation.

What Officials Say

Sheriff McFadden reiterated that his office "remains committed to transparency" and that any coordination with federal agencies will be limited to information-sharing rather than direct enforcement. Municipal leaders and law enforcement officials continue to debate the most effective mix of local, state and federal responses to public-safety challenges.

Fox News Digital reporters Leo Briceno, Elizabeth Elkind, Cameron Arcand and Michael Dorgan contributed to reporting on this story.