Sheriff Garry McFadden says transparency is missing in Border Patrol operations and questions claims about targeting violent offenders.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said he believes U.S. Border Patrol will return to Charlotte for immigration enforcement, citing what he described as a federal agenda targeting Democratic-led cities and sheriffs.
Speaking on Live Impact News, McFadden said Border Patrol has not communicated with his office in the past and left โunanswered questionsโ after its previous operations in Charlotte. He said that lack of coordination raises concerns about transparency, public safety and accountability.
โI believe they will return,โ McFadden said. โThe president has an agenda, and he has to make sure that his agenda is being followed.โ
McFadden said Charlotte would likely be targeted again because Mecklenburg County is led by a Democratic sheriff under a Democratic mayor. He added that he has heard similar concerns from law enforcement leaders in cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis and New Orleans, who reported little to no communication from Border Patrol before enforcement actions.
According to McFadden, Border Patrolโs previous presence in Charlotte left lingering questions about who was detained and whether those individuals had criminal histories. He said his office has not received verification of claims that those detained were violent offenders.
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โNobody to this day knows who has been picked up,โ McFadden said. โWe can only go on what they are saying, but with no verification.โ
McFadden contrasted Border Patrolโs approach with what he described as improved communication with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He said ICE now provides advance notice when agents plan to be at the courthouse or detention center, though the sheriff emphasized his office does not assist with immigration enforcement.
โWe are not assisting ICE with enforcement,โ he said. โWeโre just having better communication.โ
If Border Patrol returns, McFadden said he will again push for cooperation and clarity about its operations. Without that, he warned of increased fear in immigrant communities and potential conflicts between agencies.
โWeโre asking for communication and cooperation,โ McFadden said. โProfessional courtesy should be granted to local law enforcement.โ
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