This story has been updated as of Sunday at 9:30 am with more information on arrests.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents fanned out across Charlotte on Saturday, making arrests along Charlotte's immigrant-heavy Central Avenue and South Boulevard corridors. The arrests preceded a protest Saturday afternoon in uptown, where hundreds condemned the crackdown and the deployment of federal immigration agents.
On Sunday morning, CBP Commander Greg Bovino said in a social media post that agents had arrested 81 people so far, "many" of whom have criminal histories. He said the agency will release more information about people who were arrested on social media.
One arrest that was representative of the day took place in east Charlotte on Saturday morning. Agents wearing green uniforms with Border Patrol identifying patches, masks and sunglasses chased and arrested a man at a shopping center at the corner of Rosehaven Drive and Central Avenue. The area is known for its large Latino and immigrant population. The circumstances of the arrest were not immediately clear. A WFAE reporter witnessed one arrest, and social media videos posted Saturday showed agents conducting arrests in other parts of the city, appearing to be concentrated in areas including east Charlotte and South Boulevard.
Hours later in First Ward Park, hundreds of people gathered by the early afternoon, waving signs and chanting "No justice, no peace, no ICE or police."
Many businesses on Central Avenue closed for the day. One restaurant employee declined to give his name, but said the arrests were spreading fear.
"A lot of the workers are scared, and this, like - it’s going to be worse here in the east and South Boulevard where there are a lot of Hispanics," he told WFAE.
Agents were also filmed questioning nearby landscapers, and smashing the window of a man’s car on South Boulevard and pulling him from his vehicle. Arrests also reportedly took place in Pineville and in Matthews.
The Department of Homeland Security said Saturday that it had launched an operation called "Charlotte's Web" because local law enforcement were not detaining people charged with serious crimes.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to WFAE that the operation is targeting "violent criminal illegal aliens."
“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors. We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens, and President Trump and Secretary Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
Latino business owners at multiple stores along Central Avenue said they witnessed Border Patrol agents in uniforms driving in unmarked cars and making stops Saturday morning.
The owner of a car repair shop at the corner of Rosehaven Drive and Central Avenue said agents pulled into her parking lot around 9:30 a.m., causing customers and employees to scatter. She said agents chased her lead mechanic and tackled him after he tripped and fell. She showed a reporter surveillance video from the store's security cameras.
The owner, who declined to give her name out of fear of retribution, said the employee had been working as her lead mechanic for about five months, and was seeking asylum from Nicaragua.
"They just jumped out of the van and took whoever they see as Latino," she said. "The Border Patrol is not here for criminals. They are taking hard-working people."
She said without a lead mechanic, she would have to close the store until she can find a replacement.
Charlotte officials have been preparing for the Border Patrol's arrival since news of the deployment first appeared in national media earlier this week. Agents are coming from Chicago, where they have been conducting operations, and will reportedly head to New Orleans next. The scope and duration of the Charlotte deployment remain unclear.
BREAKING: Border Patrol agents were spotted arresting a man at an immigrant shopping center in east Charlotte at approximately 10:15 a.m. Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Aub88zJd99
— Nick de la Canal (@nickdelacanal) November 15, 2025
Early Saturday, the city of Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Mecklenburg County sent a joint statement urging people who protest to do so peacefully.
"The expected U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (commonly called “Border Patrol”) operations are causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community as recent operations in other cities have resulted in people without criminal records being detained and violent protests being the result of unwarranted actions," the statement said. "We know many of you want to speak out and make your voices heard — and that’s your right. We ask that, as a community, we do so peacefully. We do not want to see violence like many have witnessed in other cities. We can stand up for what we believe in without resorting to violence."
Gov. Josh Stein also urged people to demonstrate peacefully.
While Democratic leaders in Charlotte have said the Border Patrol isn't needed, Republicans have expressed optimism about the enforcement push. U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, who represents much of the area west of Charlotte, said he has “full confidence” in federal law enforcement and appreciates their ongoing work. And in a social media post, CBP Commander Greg Bovino pushed back on criticism from Stein and Democratic Congresswoman Alma Adams, saying the agency is targeting “illegal alien(s),” not legal immigrants.
Immigrants rest assured, we have your back like we did in Chicago and Los Angeles. Rep. Adams, perhaps you & Gov. STEIN should learn the difference between an illegal alien & an immigrant. Illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities and should self deport via CBP Home https://t.co/a9zSolGLeI
— Commander Op At Large CA Gregory K. Bovino (@CMDROpAtLargeCA) November 14, 2025
In a statement Saturday, the Mecklenburg GOP criticized Democratic politicians and the media for focusing on immigration operations and not paying enough attention to crimes throughout Charlotte.
"Mecklenburg's Democrat officials have abandoned their duty to uphold law and order," the statement read. "Our community deserves leaders who prioritize public safety over political theater."
A block away from the car repair shop where a mechanic was arrested, east Charlotte resident Rheba Hamilton said she was sipping coffee on her front porch, watching two landscapers put up Christmas lights in her front yard when agents pulled up in an unmarked SUV.
She said the agents began to question the men in Spanish, and she pulled out her phone to begin recording. She said after about a minute and a half of conversation, agents let the men go.
"I think they were looking for low-hanging fruit," Hamilton said, saying she filmed the encounter "because I know that's the best defense we have — to record (agents), to make them feel on the defensive and to make them feel as uncomfortable as we can."
