Garry McFadden

Charlotte Faces Increased ICE presence Amidst Ongoing Debate Over Immigration Enforcement

Charlotte, N.C.- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has considerably increased its activity in Charlotte, North ⁤Carolina, in recent weeks, escalating a⁤ long-running dispute over immigration enforcement ​policies between state and local officials. The increased presence⁣ follows years of tension and legislative action aimed at compelling⁣ local jails to cooperate with⁤ federal immigration ​detainers.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified‍ North Carolina as a focus state due to its policies regarding sanctuary‌ jurisdictions.While DHS reports approximately‌ 1,400⁤ detainers across the⁤ state have ⁢gone unhonored since October 2020, North Carolina county jails have historically honored “detainers”-requests from federal officials to hold arrested immigrants for potential ICE custody. However, some localities, including Charlotte, have maintained policies limiting assistance with immigration enforcement.⁢

Mecklenburg County Jail ​previously declined to honor ICE detainers for several years, untill a‍ state⁢ law ‌enacted in late 2023 effectively mandated compliance.Mecklenburg Sheriff ⁣Garry McFadden actively resisted previous attempts by the Republican-controlled state legislature to force his office and other urban county sheriffs to accept ICE ‌detainers.

Despite stating his office is now complying with the law, ⁣McFadden continued to publicly dispute‌ ICE procedures earlier this year, leading to a further tightening of regulations thru a new state law. Governor roy Cooper vetoed this ​measure, but the veto was overridden by the legislature.

Republican House Speaker Destin Hall stated on X (formerly Twitter)​ Monday that ICE’s ⁢increased presence is a direct result of McFadden’s past policies: “They’re stepping in ​to clean ‌up his mess and restore safety to ​the city.”

McFadden recently reported a “productive meeting” with an ICE representative, ​emphasizing his desire for ‍coordinated enforcement. “I made it clear⁢ that ‍I do not want to stop ICE‍ from doing their job, but I do want them to do it safely, responsibly, and with proper‌ coordination by notifying our agency ahead of ‌time,” ‌McFadden said in a statement.

The situation remains politically charged. State GOP Chairman Jason Simmons asserted Monday, “Democrats⁤ at all levels are choosing to protect criminal illegals over North carolina citizens.”

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, who​ won a fifth term‍ earlier⁤ this month with a 45-percentage-point victory, has navigated these debates ‍amidst broader concerns about rising crime in the city. Democrats are poised to maintain a strong majority on the city ⁢council, holding 10 of 11‌ seats.