The Trump Administration Begins Its Border Patrol Surge in Charlotte

Although crime in Charlotte is down compared to recent years, the city drew national attention after a man stabbed and killed a 23-year old Ukrainian refugee on a train in August.

U.S. Border Patrol agent Juan Di Bella talks to a worker during an immigration enforcement operation

Erin Hooley/AP

U.S. Border Patrol agents began a long-awaited operation this weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of its mass deportation efforts, the Department of Homeland Security said.

“We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed,” Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, said in an email. “There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens, and President Trump and [DHS Secretary Kristi] Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”

The city was added to the growing list of locations that the Trump administration has sent federal law enforcement or military to combat what it says are problems with out-of-control crime and unauthorized immigration, including Los Angeles, Washington, D.C, Memphis, Tennessee, and Portland, Oregon.