U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are now in Charlotte after reports began to circulate Wednesday that they would arrive as soon as the weekend.
Spectrum News 1 crews saw agents appear to arrest a man at a Home Depot at 4750 South Blvd. in the southern part of the city Saturday morning.
A Spectrum News 1 photographer saw some unmarked cars pull in, followed by a CBP pickup truck. Agents then began detaining people in the parking lot, and Spectrum crews saw one person being taken away in their vehicles.
At 10:15 a.m., an alert went out from Comunidad Colecteva, an activist group that’s part of the Carolina Migrant Network, warning about the confirmed presence of border agents along South Boulevard at Arrowwood and Archdale and Central Avenue at Sharon Amity and Rose Haven.
Community activists and lawmakers say this action could happen over the next few days. Activist and leaders gathered Friday morning to speak out against border patrol agents coming to the Queen City.
Leaders and activist from different branches of local government and organizations voiced their frustration with the lack of communication with federal officials about the Border Patrol’s impending deployment at Friday’s rally.
“This isn’t a request that came from Mecklenburg County for assistance or for help,” County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell said. “And so, we don’t understand what the plan is. Everything has been veiled in this cloak of secrecy,” he said.
In a separate statement Friday, Gov. Josh Stein asked people to “stand with our neighbors” and be peaceful.
A planned protest got underway in the Home Depot parking lot about 10 a.m., where the agents arrived early and begin detaining people. Another protest is also planned for 2 p.m. Saturday at First Ward Park in Uptown.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
