CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Gov. Josh Stein released a public update Sunday following the deployment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Charlotte, warning that the federal operation is creating fear and dividing communities rather than improving public safety. In a video posted on social media, Stein said his administration has been in contact with state and local law enforcement to ensure residents have the support they need during the ongoing federal activity.
Stein criticized the conduct of federal agents, saying North Carolinians have reported heavily armed, masked personnel in unmarked vehicles detaining people in parking lots and on sidewalks. He said the tactics amount to racial profiling and have included targeting American citizens “based on the color of their skin.”
The governor highlighted one incident where agents confronted landscapers decorating a Christmas tree in a resident’s front yard, calling it an example of how the operations have fueled unnecessary alarm. The deployments follow a series of enforcement actions in Charlotte that local officials say were not communicated in advance.
Stein urged residents to remain peaceful and document any inappropriate federal activity. “If you see something wrong, record it and report it to local law enforcement,” he said. “That’s the North Carolina way.”
Local agencies, including the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, have issued statements responding to community concerns over ICE and Border Patrol activity.
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