Federal Border Patrol agents widened their enforcement operations in North Carolina on Tuesday, moving beyond Charlotte to include Raleigh and the Research Triangle area. The actions are part of an intensified nationwide effort by the Trump administration that has targeted cities governed by Democrats. Officials said more than 130 people were arrested in Charlotte over three days, with 44 of those individuals reported to have criminal histories as of early Monday. Local volunteers and immigrant advocates mobilized at retail locations after agents were observed detaining a man at a Home Depot in Cary.
Key Takeaways
- Operations expanded on Nov. 18, 2025, as Border Patrol activity spread from Charlotte to Raleigh and nearby towns in the Research Triangle.
- More than 130 arrests occurred in Charlotte over three days; federal officials reported 44 of those arrested had criminal records as of early Monday.
- An agent detained a man at a Home Depot in Cary, N.C., and volunteers began stationing themselves at home-improvement stores with whistles to monitor further activity.
- The deployments reflect a broader White House push to enforce immigration laws in several Democratic-run cities this year.
- Local leaders and immigrant-rights groups have criticized the operations, saying tactics disrupted businesses and heightened fear among Hispanic residents.
- Border Patrol supervisor Gregory Bovino publicly highlighted arrests online, describing some detainees as having criminal histories and framing arrests as enforcement successes.
- The full geographic scope and duration of the North Carolina operations remained unclear as of Nov. 18, 2025.
Background
The recent North Carolina activity follows a pattern of targeted interior immigration enforcement undertaken by federal authorities in 2025. Administration officials have increasingly focused on metropolitan areas governed by Democrats, citing public-safety goals and a desire to remove those with criminal records. Charlotte, the state’s largest city and home to a growing immigrant population from Latin America, became the initial concentration point of the operation on Saturday.
The Research Triangle—anchored by Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill—is a politically mixed but heavily Democratic region with significant university communities and diverse immigrant populations. Earlier this year, similar interior enforcement actions in Los Angeles and Chicago prompted local complaints about profiling, business disruptions and community fear, influencing how advocates and municipal leaders prepared this time. Federal agencies, state officials and local nonprofits represent competing interests: enforcement of federal immigration law, municipal protections and community support services for migrants.
Main Event
On Tuesday, Border Patrol agents were observed conducting enforcement activities in and around Raleigh, extending an operation that began in Charlotte on Saturday. Witnesses reported seeing agents detain a man at a Home Depot in Cary, a western suburb of Raleigh, and volunteers for immigrant-rights groups quickly organized to monitor other retail locations where similar encounters might occur. The exact number of additional detentions in the Research Triangle had not been confirmed by midafternoon.
In Charlotte, officials said more than 130 people were detained over three days. The Department of Homeland Security provided a preliminary count that 44 of those arrested had criminal histories as of early Monday, a figure officials have cited to justify the raids. Border Patrol leadership in the field, including supervisor Gregory Bovino, posted statements online highlighting arrests and characterizing them as part of the agency’s mission to remove individuals judged to be dangerous.
Local businesses reported disruptions as agents conducted stops near commercial centers, and community groups said people who rely on hourly work or who lack immigration status have been avoiding public spaces. Volunteers stationed at stores carried whistles and coordinated by phone to alert others when federal agents appeared. Municipal officials in the Research Triangle signaled concern, saying they had not been fully briefed on the operation’s scope and questioned the potential impact on public trust.
Analysis & Implications
The expansion of Border Patrol activity into Raleigh and the Research Triangle signals a tactical shift: federal agents are increasingly operating inside metropolitan areas rather than limiting enforcement to border zones. For a politically competitive state like North Carolina, aggressive interior enforcement could become a flashpoint in local and national politics, affecting trust between immigrant communities and municipal authorities. Officials framing the arrests around criminal histories aim to bolster public-safety arguments, but the distinction between criminal and civil immigration cases will be central in public debate and potential legal challenges.
Economically, concentrated enforcement in urban commercial corridors can reduce foot traffic and labor availability for small businesses that depend on immigrant workers. If fear of stops or detentions spreads, hospitality, construction and retail sectors in the affected neighborhoods may see immediate shortfalls in staffing and consumer activity. In the longer term, municipal leaders may pursue ordinances or legal measures to restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, deepening state-federal tensions.
Internationally and politically, the operation feeds into a broader narrative about interior immigration control ahead of election cycles. Targeting Democratic-run cities is likely to draw national attention and mobilize both advocacy networks and law-enforcement supporters, shaping the political landscape. Litigation over local rights, profiling allegations and the proper jurisdiction of federal agents could follow, creating a protracted legal and policy debate with implications beyond North Carolina.
Comparison & Data
| Location | Period | Reported Arrests | With Criminal Histories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | Nov. 15–18, 2025 | >130 | 44 (as of early Monday) |
| Research Triangle (Raleigh/Cary/Durham) | Nov. 18, 2025 (expansion) | Unclear | Unclear |
| Earlier operations (Los Angeles/Chicago) | 2025 (prior months) | Various; reported community disruptions | Not centrally reported |
The table summarizes confirmed counts for Charlotte and the limited information available for the Research Triangle. Authorities provided a specific tally for Charlotte arrests and the number with criminal records; comparable numbers for Raleigh-area detentions were not publicly available as of Nov. 18. Prior operations in Los Angeles and Chicago drew widespread local reporting about disruptions, but public tallies and demographic breakdowns have varied across jurisdictions.
Reactions & Quotes
“Their arrests are successes in the Border Patrol’s mission to deport people who are deemed dangerous,”
Gregory Bovino (Border Patrol supervisor, online post)
“The agents’ aggressive tactics have provoked communities, disrupted businesses and incited fear,”
Local advocates and community leaders (summary of public criticism)
“Volunteers have been stationed at stores with whistles to alert neighbors if agents appear,”
Immigrant-rights volunteers (on-the-ground coordination)
Unconfirmed
- The total number of detentions across the Research Triangle following the Nov. 18 expansion has not been independently verified.
- Allegations of racial or ethnic profiling have been reported by community members but remain subject to formal investigation and corroboration.
- Detailed criminal-history backgrounds for all detainees were not publicly released; the figure of 44 with criminal histories was provided by federal officials and has not been itemized by charge in public records.
Bottom Line
The Border Patrol’s move into Raleigh and the Research Triangle marks an escalation of interior enforcement in a politically sensitive region of North Carolina. Officials characterize the operation as targeting individuals with criminal records, while community groups warn of disruptive effects and heightened fear among immigrant populations. The immediate operational details remain partly opaque, and further reporting will be needed to clarify numbers, legal bases for stops, and the geographic scope of future actions.
Observers should watch for municipal responses, possible legal challenges, and official disclosures that break down detainee profiles by charge and location. The episode is likely to intensify national debate over immigration enforcement strategy and the balance between federal authority and local protections, with political and economic consequences for affected communities.