People gather in uptown to protest Border Patrol arrests in Charlotte
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Border Patrol in Charlotte
U.S. Border Patrol began making rounds in Charlotte on Saturday morning.
This follows recent Border Patrol activity in Chicago that made headlines, with some reports alleging agents violated people’s rights.
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Following the arrival of the U.S. Border Patrol in Charlotte Saturday morning, hundreds of protesters gathered at First Ward Park in the afternoon and marched through uptown, delivering a clear message to federal agents: “Get out.”
Rosa Ramirez attended the emergency protest with her mother, Martha Ramirez, who held a sign saying, “Stop kidnapping our neighbors.” There have been many reports around the Charlotte region of federal police — their identities shielded with masks and license plates covered — detaining people.
“They’ve been doing terrible things in Chicago, and we’re not happy that they’re bringing it here to North Carolina,” Martha Ramirez said.
As the daughter of a father from the Dominican Republic, Rosa Ramirez said she feels that the immigrant community is being racially profiled, especially after hearing about a U.S. citizen in Charlotte who was pulled out of his truck after agents broke the window.
“None of us have any real feeling of safety,” Rosa Ramirez said. “I’m here to use my voice and to use the rights that I hopefully still have to defend those who don’t have their papers and documents at this moment.”
The U.S. Border Patrol has not disclosed how many agents were sent from Chicago to the city, nor how long they intend to remain. Their activities began in the morning, but it’s unclear which federal other agencies are involved in this operation.
In recent developments, at least 200 U.S. Border Patrol agents were stationed in Chicago, assisting the Trump Administration’s efforts to address illegal immigration.
Since September, the agency reports arresting 1,500 individuals, according to CBS News. Federal agents have made arrests across Chicago and surrounding suburbs, questioning residents and, at times, using tear gas on both civilians and local law enforcement.
“Immigrants are an integral part of our community and our workforce,” Martha Ramirez said, noting labor needs and contributions such as helping western North Carolina rebuild after Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters. She said she believes migration is a human right.
“We should be welcoming those folks here, and those folks aren’t asking for anything but the privilege to work and to contribute to our economy in the same way that any other American citizen does,” she said.
Community organizations led protesters with loud chants against Border Patrol agents being in Charlotte. Some of the participating organizations included Seeking Justice, Poor People’s Campaign, Housing Justice Coalition, Blakk Liberation, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Kass Ottley of Seeking Justice said she liked seeing the large crowd but encouraged more people in the region to get involved and push racial differences aside.
“We have to come together,” she said. “That’s the only way we’re going to win.”
Joel Simpson of the Poor People’s Campaign spoke against the Trump Administration’s budget boosts for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He said that money could go towards other needs, such as healthcare or food programs to help people.
“We know that this is an attack on people’s dignity and humanity,” Simpson said. “It’s an attack on our constitutional rights, and we won’t be silent about it.”
Alison Yanez and her sister, Danna Yanez, said they’re not going to be quiet either. Their family came to America from Honduras for a better life.
“I feel bad for the families that fear coming out to the streets and speaking for themselves,” Alison Yanez said. “I’m here today to speak for those who can’t.”
“They’re just grabbing people out of their cars ... they’re just harassing them,” Danna Yanez said about the treatment. “But we’re all humans, and we’re all on stolen land. What are they (Border Patrol) here for?”
This story was originally published November 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM.
