The Department of Homeland Security conducted a two-day immigration sweep in Charlotte that resulted in more than 130 detentions, part of similar operations in other major U.S. cities. Federal officials cite sanctuary policies and a recent fatal stabbing as reasons for targeting Charlotte, while local leaders point to falling crime rates and increased fear among residents. Charlotte has about 950,000 residents, including an estimated 150,000 foreign-born people. Reactions split along political lines: Democratic officials criticized the tactics, and local Republicans praised the enforcement.
Homeland Security Arrests Over 130 People in Charlotte During Two-Day Immigration Sweep
The Department of Homeland Security conducted a two-day immigration sweep in Charlotte that resulted in more than 130 detentions, part of similar operations in other major U.S. cities. Federal officials cite sanctuary policies and a recent fatal stabbing as reasons for targeting Charlotte, while local leaders point to falling crime rates and increased fear among residents. Charlotte has about 950,000 residents, including an estimated 150,000 foreign-born people. Reactions split along political lines: Democratic officials criticized the tactics, and local Republicans praised the enforcement.
08:04 AM, 11/18/2025Politics
U.S. immigration authorities detained more than 130 people across Charlotte, North Carolina, during a two-day enforcement operation that followed similar actions in Los Angeles and Chicago. Federal officials say the sweep targets individuals with criminal records and alleged immigration violations; local leaders say the raids have stirred fear and division in the city.
Why Charlotte?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it focused on North Carolina’s largest city because of so-called sanctuary policies that limit local cooperation with federal immigration agents. Federal officials have also cited a high-profile fatal stabbing on a Charlotte light-rail train this summer as part of the rationale for stepping up enforcement.
Most North Carolina county jails historically honored federal "detainer" requests—brief holds so federal agents can assume custody of an arrestee—but some local policies limited cooperation. Charlotte’s municipal government is led by a Democratic mayor and its police department does not routinely assist with immigration enforcement. In Mecklenburg County, the jail reportedly did not honor detainer requests for several years until a state law effectively required compliance beginning last year.
How large is the immigrant population?
Charlotte and the surrounding parts of Mecklenburg County remain among the nation’s fastest-growing regions, with a significant share of growth coming from international migration. The city is home to about 950,000 residents, including roughly 150,000 who were born abroad, according to local officials. The largest share of the foreign-born population comes from Latin American countries.
How many were arrested?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that more than 130 people were detained in Charlotte over the course of two days. CBP said those arrested included people with records indicating gang affiliation, aggravated assault, shoplifting and other offenses, but it provided few additional details—such as how many detainees faced formal criminal charges or their current custody status.
Local response
Advocacy groups opposing the operation organized volunteers in the days before the sweep to help people recognize federal agents, plan peaceful protests and inform immigrants about their legal rights. Some local businesses temporarily closed after reporting federal officers targeting customers in nearby areas.
State and political reactions
North Carolina’s Democratic governor, Josh Stein, criticized the raids as heightening fear and dividing communities, and accused masked Border Patrol agents of detaining people based on appearance and at random in public spaces. By contrast, Mecklenburg County Republican Party chairman Kyle Kirby praised the enforcement as upholding the rule of law and prioritizing public safety.
What remains unclear: Federal officials have released limited details about the arrestees and the legal outcomes so far. Local leaders maintain that crime rates in Charlotte have been declining and question the necessity and tactics of large-scale sweeps in residential neighborhoods.