Local

Border Patrol swarms Charlotte: The week in photos

By The' Pham
Brayan Vicente Martinez takes a moment during a protest outside the Federal Courthouse before the hearing for his brother, Miguel Martinez, who was detained by Customs and Border Patrol earlier this week in Charlotte on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Brayan Vicente Martinez takes a moment during a protest outside the Federal Courthouse before the hearing for his brother, Miguel Martinez, who was detained by Customs and Border Patrol earlier this week in Charlotte on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Melissa Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

Through the lens of our visual journalists, a moment in time is captured and becomes part of our history.

Last week when the Border Patrol rolled into town, we were there to document what was happening. From arrests to protests where communities bonded together, our visual journalists were on the scene. Our objective is clear and simple: be the eyes and ears for our communities.

Joshua Long hugs his partner,Gabrielle Sorge, after he is released from the FBI Charlotte field office in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Joshua Long hugs his partner,Gabrielle Sorge, after he is released from the FBI Charlotte field office in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Local volunteers stand near the car of a Charlottean who was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border agents at the Eastway Crossing Shopping Center on Eastway Dr. In Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Local volunteers stand near the car of a Charlottean who was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border agents at the Eastway Crossing Shopping Center on Eastway Dr. In Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Attorney Xavier T. De Janon waits outside the FBI Charlotte field office for Joshua Long to be released in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Attorney Xavier T. De Janon waits outside the FBI Charlotte field office for Joshua Long to be released in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Ramon Vargas, who works with Carolina’s Towing, loads a vehicle that was left behind after its owner was arrested by Border Patrol at Eastway Crossing in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Carolina’s Towing is a Hispanic-wned business on Freedom Drive that is offering free towing service to help families recover vehicles after a loved ones has been detained.
Ramon Vargas, who works with Carolina’s Towing, loads a vehicle that was left behind after its owner was arrested by Border Patrol at Eastway Crossing in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Carolina’s Towing is a Hispanic-wned business on Freedom Drive that is offering free towing service to help families recover vehicles after a loved ones has been detained. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
A Border Patrol Agent keeps watch while other agents make an arrest on Sharonbrook Drive in Charlotte, NC on Sunday morning, Nov. 16, 2025.
A Border Patrol Agent keeps watch while other agents make an arrest on Sharonbrook Drive in Charlotte, NC on Sunday morning, Nov. 16, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
A parent walks his daughter home from a bus stop while others ensure kids get off the school bus safely in the Berryhill area.
A parent walks his daughter home from a bus stop while others ensure kids get off the school bus safely in the Berryhill area. MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Arelee Cuautle stands outside Charlotte East Language Academy where she dropped off her brother and cousin this morninig on Monday, November 17, 2025. “I was born here,” says Cuautle, “and I’m so scared because they’re targeting my neighborhood, so clearly I fit into some demographic. They’re targeting people who look like me, who speak my language; so it does make me scared.”
Arelee Cuautle stands outside Charlotte East Language Academy where she dropped off her brother and cousin this morninig on Monday, November 17, 2025. “I was born here,” says Cuautle, “and I’m so scared because they’re targeting my neighborhood, so clearly I fit into some demographic. They’re targeting people who look like me, who speak my language; so it does make me scared.” Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
A woman mockingly waves goodbye to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents as they leave the Country Club Apartment Homes on Eastway Drive in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The woman along with others were blowing whistles and yelling for the agents to leave.
A woman mockingly waves goodbye to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents as they leave the Country Club Apartment Homes on Eastway Drive in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The woman along with others were blowing whistles and yelling for the agents to leave. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Protesters walk down outside the Home Depot on North Wendover Road in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Protesters walk down outside the Home Depot on North Wendover Road in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Leaves obstruct the license plate of a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle as agents leave the parking lot of the Compare Foods on North Tryon St. in Charlotte, NC on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Leaves obstruct the license plate of a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle as agents leave the parking lot of the Compare Foods on North Tryon St. in Charlotte, NC on Monday, November 17, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Students at South Mecklenburg High School walk out of classes to peacefully protest the presence of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and I.C.E. in Charlotte on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Students at South Mecklenburg High School walk out of classes to peacefully protest the presence of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and I.C.E. in Charlotte on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Former Charlotte mayor Jennifer Roberts was among the hundreds of people to gather in the No Border Protest in First Ward Park on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Former Charlotte mayor Jennifer Roberts was among the hundreds of people to gather in the No Border Protest in First Ward Park on Saturday, November 15, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Protesters gather outside of Manolo’s Bakery to protest ICE and Border Patrol in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, November 20, 2025.
Protesters gather outside of Manolo’s Bakery to protest ICE and Border Patrol in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, November 20, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Protesters gather outside of Manolo’s Bakery to protest ICE and Border Patrol in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, November 20, 2025.
Protesters gather outside of Manolo’s Bakery to protest ICE and Border Patrol in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, November 20, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Protesters gather outside of Manolo’s Bakery to protest ICE and Border Patrol in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, November 20, 2025.
Protesters gather outside of Manolo’s Bakery to protest ICE and Border Patrol in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, November 20, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
A protester stands along North Wendover Road near the Home Depot in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
A protester stands along North Wendover Road near the Home Depot in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Protesters walk down an aisle at the Home Depot on North Wendover Road in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Protesters walk down an aisle at the Home Depot on North Wendover Road in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Protesters gather outside of Manolo’s Bakery to protest ICE and Border Patrol in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, November 20, 2025.
Protesters gather outside of Manolo’s Bakery to protest ICE and Border Patrol in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, November 20, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com

This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Border Patrol swarms Charlotte: The week in photos."

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