Feds offer few names, inconsistent numbers for Border Patrol arrests in Charlotte
United States Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks posted on Monday that “interior operations in Charlotte, NC, yielded 274 arrests.”
But Banks’ number was far below the previous figure Border Patrol cited, more than 370, in late November.
Asked for clarification, Department of Homeland Security offered a new number on Tuesday night.
“This immigration enforcement surge in the Charlotte area has led to the arrest of over 425 illegal aliens since operations started,” Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Robert Brisley said by email.
Asked again about the discrepancy, he offered no explanation.
Border Patrol falls under DHS, as does Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams, asked about the discrepancy, deferred back to Border Patrol.
The agency also has not answered requests for the names of everyone arrested. News releases from Border Patrol have highlighted arrests, but they have only made up a fraction of those reported — whether the number is 274, more than 370 or 425.
Gov. Josh Stein also has written to the Homeland Security secretary asking for names, numbers and details.
During the Border Patrol’s five-day operation in Charlotte, which launched Nov. 15, agents wearing masks and in unmarked SUVs questioned and arrested people in public spaces like shopping center parking lots, neighborhoods and a church lawn. In addition to most of the names of people taken, the government has not commented on their whereabouts.
The operation prompted restaurants and businesses, especially in east Charlotte, to close, while thousands of children did not attend school.
Agents also made arrests in areas near Charlotte, such as Hickory, and in the Triangle.
The News & Observer identified nine people who were taken to the New Hanover jail on Nov. 18.
The Border Patrol unit that spent weeks targeting Chicago before Charlotte, including using tear gas in the Windy City, on Wednesday began making arrests in New Orleans.
Ryan Oehrli covers criminal justice in the Charlotte region for The Charlotte Observer. His work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The Observer maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
This story was originally published December 3, 2025 at 1:28 PM.