Immigration agents expected in Raleigh on Tuesday, mayor says. Here's what we know

Anna Roman and Kristen Johnson, The News & Observer (Raleigh) on Nov 17, 2025

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The U.S. Border Patrol will be in Raleigh on Tuesday after a weekend of arrests and protests in Charlotte, Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell told The News & Observer on Monday night.

More than 130 people were reportedly arrested this weekend in Charlotte after U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested people at places like restaurants, grocery stores, Home Depot parking lots and an east Charlotte church, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Cowell said a statement from Raleigh would be released Monday night.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has not received official notification from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection about being in the area, according to an email from the Sheriff’s Office.

“However, if any operation or activity should occur, I kindly ask all residents to refrain from engaging or confronting Border Control personnel and allow them to carry out their official duties,” according to a statement on behalf of Sheriff Willie Rowe. “The safety and well-being of our community remains the primary concern of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, and we strive to avoid circumstances that may lead to injuries or unnecessary arrests.”

U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are different agencies. The Border Patrol is the law enforcement arm of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It has been sent to cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles and, most recently, Charlotte.

The news of a possible Border Patrol action in Raleigh on Tuesday was first reported by INDY and The Assembly Monday night.

Durham leaders denounce Border Patrol actions

In Durham, Mayor Leo Williams opened Monday night’s City Council meeting with a joint statement from him; Nida Allam, chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners; and Bettina Umstead, chair of the Durham school board.

“We’re deeply troubled by recent news accounts of increased presence of immigration officers in and around North Carolina. We want to assert a courageous stance on behalf of our immigrant communities that are essential to the fabric of our state and city,” Williams read. “We denounce any effort that promotes exclusion, incites fear, undermines human rights and compromises safety.”

“Durham does not operate from fear,” he added. “We lead with compassion, justice, determination. Our schools, neighborhoods and places of employment are stronger because of the diversity of the cultures, languages and experiences that define Durham.”

Concerns about who will be targeted

State Sen. Lisa Grafstein, a Wake County Democrat, said in a text to The N&O that she shares concerns raised by Gov. Josh Stein after the Border Patrol deployment in Charlotte “about the methods being used and the violent targeting of people who are simply living their lives peacefully.”

“We saw in Chicago that the vast majority of people being targeted have no criminal history,” Grafstein said. “Many of the actions we are seeing are unconstitutional and are bringing violence and chaos. I hope and believe that the people of Wake County — a welcoming and diverse community — will look out for each other.”

Asked about the Triangle deployment, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson shared a statement about the people arrested in Charlotte over the weekend, “who have all broken the immigration laws of our country.”

“Criminal records of those arrested include known gang membership, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, felony larceny, simple assault, hit and run, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, DUI, DWI, and illegal reentry after prior deportation, a felony,” the Homeland Security statement says. The Observer reported that federal immigration agencies have not released names or paperwork, or said where those arrested are being detained, so the claim about records could not be verified.

“We will not stop enforcing the laws of our nation until every criminal illegal alien is arrested and removed from our country,” the Homeland Security statement says.

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