U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents may target the city of Asheville, according to Mayor Esther Manheimer.
This news comes a day after Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that CBP agents could start immigration operations in Charlotte as soon as Saturday. Gov. Josh Stein then published a statement early Friday afternoon addressing potential deployment in the state.
“Public safety is the top priority for all of us in government – and that means fighting crime, not stoking fear or causing division,” Stein said. “We should all focus on arresting violent criminals and drug traffickers. Unfortunately, that’s not always what we have seen with ICE and Border Patrol Agents in Chicago and elsewhere around the country.”
In a Facebook post hours later, Manheimer said Asheville could be a target city for federal immigration agents and added that the Asheville Police Department doesn't have the authority to enforce immigration law.
“We value our strong relationships with all members of our community and remain dedicated to building trust while upholding the law,” Manherimer said. “We believe every person, regardless of immigration status, should feel safe in the community they call home.”
Similar operations have occurred in Los Angeles and most recently, Chicago.
