Border Patrol expands enforcement surge into Raleigh, North Carolina

City and state leaders in North Carolina are continuing to push back as Border Patrol expands its enforcement mission.

(NBC)- City and state leaders in North Carolina are continuing to push back as Border Patrol expands its enforcement mission, taking the surge from Charlotte to the state capital of Raleigh.

Raleigh’s mayor confirmed to NBC News that Border Patrol joined ICE in the city last night and she believes officers would begin enforcement operations there this morning. The expansion follows days of activity in Charlotte under what DHS has called “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”

Officials say the mission has resulted in more than 130 arrests. DHS claims some of those arrested are violent criminals, though it remains unclear how many have criminal records or what specific charges they may face.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, issued strong criticism of the expanded operation. Stein urged Border Patrol to focus on violent offenders, not “neighbors walking down the street,” accusing the agency of racial profiling.

DHS maintains that the mission is centered on public safety and notes officers have faced threats during recent operations. One man in Charlotte was arrested Sunday for allegedly assaulting a law enforcement officer.