Immigration agents expected in Raleigh on Tuesday, mayor says. Here’s what we know
For live updates of U.S. Border Patrol’s impact in the Triangle Tuesday, see this story.
The U.S. Border Patrol will be in Raleigh on Tuesday after a weekend of arrests and protests in Charlotte, Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell told The News & Observer on Monday night.
The expected action comes after U.S. Border Patrol agents reportedly arrested over 130 people in Charlotte this weekend in places like restaurants, grocery stores, Home Depot parking lots and an east Charlotte church, The Charlotte Observer reported.
“As the capital city, it is important to us that everyone who lives, works, plays and learns in Raleigh feels safe,” Cowell said in a statement Monday night.
“We have been made aware that Customs and Border Protection are coming to Raleigh,” she continued. “While the Raleigh Police Department is not involved in immigration enforcement, we are committed to protecting our residents and to following the law. I can confirm that RPD has not participated in any immigration planning activities.”
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has not received official notification about U.S. Customs and Border Protection being in the area, according to an email from the Sheriff’s Office.
“However, if any operation or activity should occur, I kindly ask all residents to refrain from engaging or confronting Border Control personnel and allow them to carry out their official duties,” according to a statement on behalf of Sheriff Willie Rowe. “The safety and well-being of our community remains the primary concern of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, and we strive to avoid circumstances that may lead to injuries or unnecessary arrests.”
Gov. Josh Stein’s office has not received any outreach from the White House, Stein’s spokesperson said. The Democratic governor said in a statement that his office “is aware of reports that the Border Patrol is bringing its operation to Raleigh.”
“Once again, I call on federal agents to target violent criminals, not neighbors walking down the street, going to church, or putting up Christmas decorations,” Stein said in the statement. “Stop targeting people simply going about their lives because of the color of their skin, as you are doing in Charlotte.
“To the people of Raleigh: remain peaceful, and if you see something wrong, record it and report it to local law enforcement. Let’s keep each other safe.”
U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are different agencies. The Border Patrol is the law enforcement arm of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It has been sent to cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles and, most recently, Charlotte.
The news of a possible Border Patrol action in Raleigh on Tuesday was first reported by INDY and The Assembly Monday night.
Crime is down year-over-year in Raleigh, and public safety is a priority for the City Council, Cowell said in her statement.
“This is a key moment to reaffirm our commitment to serving all members of our community,” she said. “If you need help from the police, you call 911, and help will come. I ask Raleigh to remember our values and maintain peace and respect through any upcoming challenges.”
Durham leaders denounce Border Patrol actions
In Durham, Mayor Leo Williams opened Monday night’s City Council meeting with a joint statement from him; Nida Allam, chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners; and Bettina Umstead, chair of the Durham school board.
“We’re deeply troubled by recent news accounts of increased presence of immigration officers in and around North Carolina,” Williams read. “We want to assert a courageous stance on behalf of our immigrant communities that are essential to the fabric of our state and city. We denounce any effort that promotes exclusion, incites fear, undermines human rights and compromises safety.
“Durham does not operate from fear,” he added. “We lead with compassion, justice, determination. Our schools, neighborhoods and places of employment are stronger because of the diversity of the cultures, languages and experiences that define Durham.”
Concerns about who will be targeted
State Democratic leaders representing Charlotte said earlier Monday that the arrests amounted to racial profiling, The N&O reported. Mecklenburg County Democratic Rep. Carolyn Logan denounced the tactics of “reaching and grabbing ... for whoever they can see and grabbing them off the street. They don’t know if they’re criminals, they’re just looking to skin color.”
Later Monday, after news about Raleigh broke, State Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a Wake County Democrat, said in a text to The N&O that she shares concerns raised by Stein after the Border Patrol deployment in Charlotte “about the methods being used and the violent targeting of people who are simply living their lives peacefully.”
“We saw in Chicago that the vast majority of people being targeted have no criminal history,” Grafstein said. “Many of the actions we are seeing are unconstitutional and are bringing violence and chaos. I hope and believe that the people of Wake County — a welcoming and diverse community — will look out for each other.”
Rep. Phil Rubin, a former federal prosecutor and a Wake County Democrat, said the conduct in Charlotte was “unacceptable, un-American, and dangerous.” In a news release, he urged residents — including immigrants, who have rights — to know their rights ahead of federal agents’ expected presence in Raleigh.
“During my service as a federal prosecutor right here in Raleigh, I worked with federal agents — people who used their immense power carefully, targeted dangerous offenders to keep our communities safe and lived their oath to uphold the Constitution,” Rubin said. “What we’ve seen from federal agents in Charlotte is not the work of the federal law enforcement I knew. It would not have been tolerated then, and we should not tolerate it now.”
Asked about the Triangle deployment, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson shared a statement about the people arrested in Charlotte over the weekend, “who have all broken the immigration laws of our country.”
“Criminal records of those arrested include known gang membership, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, felony larceny, simple assault, hit and run, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, DUI, DWI, and illegal re-entry after prior deportation, a felony,” the Homeland Security statement says.
The Observer reported that federal immigration agencies have not released names or paperwork, or said where those arrested are being detained, so the claim about records could not be verified.
“We will not stop enforcing the laws of our nation until every criminal illegal alien is arrested and removed from our country,” the Homeland Security statement says.
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This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM.
