By Victoria Albert and Jack Morphet
U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel are headed to Charlotte, N.C., a local sheriff's office said, making it the latest Democratic-led city to receive an influx of federal agents.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office said it was notified by two federal officials on Wednesday that CBP personnel are expected in the Charlotte area as early as Saturday. The officials didn't disclose details about the operation or request help with any enforcement actions, the sheriff's office said in a statement Thursday.
"MCSO will remain vigilant and continue to address and focus on the needs of our community as it does each and every day," the office said. "However MCSO will not be involved with any measures regarding enforcement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and CBP."
The Department of Homeland Security didn't comment on the sheriff's statement. The agency doesn't discuss future or potential operations, a spokeswoman said.
The size and purpose of CBP's presence isn't clear. However, several Democratic-led cities have drawn the ire of President Trump, who has accused local leaders of not doing enough to curb illegal immigration and crime. Federal immigration agents deployed to those cities have clashed repeatedly with protesters, and local leaders have accused the Trump administration of overdramatizing crime concerns and exacerbating tensions on the ground.
Federal immigration officials have concentrated most recently in Chicago, where U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino has faced heavy scrutiny from a judge over federal agents' conduct.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, both Democrats, didn't immediately comment.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said it has no involvement in planning any federal activities and doesn't participate in ICE operations.
Write to Victoria Albert at victoria.albert@wsj.com and Jack Morphet at jack.morphet@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 13, 2025 16:53 ET (21:53 GMT)
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