US Border Patrol chief posts online about move from Chicago to Charlotte

Mary Ramsey, The Charlotte Observer on Nov 14, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The U.S. Border Patrol official expected to lead operations in Charlotte took to social media Friday to publicly acknowledge his agency’s presence in the Queen City and respond to state leaders critical of the move.

Gregory Bovino, a longtime Border Patrol agent who led the group’s recent controversial Chicago operation, reposted a statement from Charlotte-area U.S. Rep. Alma Adams criticizing Border Patrol’s presence. Bovino said the agency would target undocumented immigrants.

“Immigrants rest assured, we have your back like we did in Chicago and Los Angeles. Rep. Adams, perhaps you & Gov. STEIN should learn the difference between an illegal alien & an immigrant. Illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities and should self deport via CBP Home,” Bovino wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Bovino replied to a Charlotte Observer staffer that the response to Adams was “just setting some facts straight and helping educate elected representatives who fail to see the difference in those who did it the right way (immigrants) and those who broke our nation’s laws (illegal aliens).”

Bovino’s comments on social media follow the latest statement from Gov. Josh Stein on Border Patrol coming to Charlotte.

Stein said law enforcement “should all focus on and arrest violent criminals and drug traffickers” but that “unfortunately, that’s not always what we have seen with ICE and Border Patrol Agents in Chicago and elsewhere around the country.”

“The vast majority of people they have detained have no criminal convictions, and some are American citizens,” Stein said.

The governor encouraged residents to “follow the law” and “remain peaceful” but also document Border Patrol behavior when possible.

“We do not allow ourselves to be provoked. We stand with our neighbors. And when we see injustice, we bear witness. If you see any inappropriate behavior, use your phones to record and notify local law enforcement, who will continue to keep our communities safe long after these federal agents leave,” Stein said. “That’s the North Carolina way.”

_____