Charlotte Sheriff Garry McFadden, Former TV Personality, Has Long History of Clashing With ICE

Charlotte’s sheriff, Garry McFadden, has built a national profile by repeatedly pushing back against cooperation with federal immigration authorities — a stance that has once again placed him at the center of controversy following a major immigration operation in North Carolina.

McFadden, a former homicide detective and reality TV personality, was elected sheriff of Mecklenburg County in 2018 after promising to reduce his office’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That promise put him on a collision course with federal agencies, a tension that resurfaced this month when agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted a large-scale immigration crackdown in Charlotte without coordinating with his office.

The Trump administration dubbed the operation “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” Federal officials say more than 350 people were arrested. McFadden said he was not informed ahead of time and that his attempts to meet with CBP officials during the operation went unanswered.

McFadden told CNN he believes immigration enforcement tactics that create fear undermine public safety, arguing that communities are less likely to report crimes when residents fear deportation. While CBP has since ended its operation in Charlotte, the sheriff remains a central figure in the region’s immigration debate.

Before entering politics, McFadden spent more than three decades with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, earning recognition for solving hundreds of homicide cases. He also gained national attention starring in the Investigation Discovery series “I Am Homicide,” which followed his work as a detective.

After taking office, McFadden followed through on his campaign pledge by ending the 287(g) program, which allowed local deputies to assist ICE with immigration enforcement inside the county jail. He also stopped honoring ICE detainers, a move that drew sharp criticism from immigration officials and Republican leaders.

ICE publicly pushed back in 2020 by launching billboards in Charlotte highlighting cases of people released from jail despite ICE detainers. More recently, new state laws in North Carolina have required sheriffs to increase cooperation with federal immigration authorities. McFadden says his office complies with the law but does not participate in active enforcement operations.

Republican leaders in the state have blamed McFadden for the federal crackdown, accusing him of promoting sanctuary-style policies. McFadden has rejected that claim, saying CBP’s actions were unnecessary and disruptive. Community advocates and some Democratic officials have echoed concerns, saying the federal presence has created fear and kept residents from going to work or school.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district, tens of thousands of students were absent during the height of the operation. McFadden says business owners have also reported workers staying home amid fears of immigration enforcement.

Despite his prominence, McFadden remains a polarizing figure. Supporters view him as a law enforcement leader focused on community trust, while critics accuse him of undermining public safety and seeking attention. He has also faced internal controversy, including lawsuits and allegations from former employees, which he has denied.

McFadden recently announced plans to seek a third term as sheriff, signaling that his confrontational stance toward federal immigration enforcement is likely to remain a defining issue in Charlotte’s political landscape.

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