Democratic Senator Mark Kelly is calling on federal immigration officers to challenge President Donald Trump’s deportation directives, as the administration intensifies its crackdown efforts. Speaking to Deseret News, Kelly emphasized the importance of standing firm against orders that might infringe upon constitutional rights. “Federal agents should refuse to act on directives that violate individuals’ constitutional protections,” he asserted. Kelly also expressed a desire for transparency, urging agents to forgo anonymity by wearing identification, and to uphold the law, signaling to figures like Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem that there are boundaries they will not cross.

Highlighting past incidents where U.S. citizens were mistakenly detained and deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Kelly, representing Arizona, stressed that following unlawful orders is not obligatory. His stance is not isolated among Democrats, many of whom have been vocal in encouraging both federal officers and the public to oppose Trump’s immigration policies.

This opposition from Kelly surfaces as reports suggest the administration is preparing for a fresh wave of deportations. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has been informed that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents are set to arrive in the Charlotte area imminently, according to Politico. McFadden expressed appreciation for the renewed cooperation and communication with federal entities, stating, “We value and welcome the renewed collaboration and open communication with our federal partners.”

‘It allows us to stay informed and be proactive in keeping Mecklenburg County safe and to maintain the level of trust our community deserves.’ The sheriff’s office has stated it won’t be supporting any deportation efforts conducted by CBP or ICE. Trump has made deportations a central pillar of his second term and so far has ordered immigration round-ups in various cities. He has so far sent soldiers and immigration officials to Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Like the aforementioned cities, Charlotte is a Democratic stronghold. It is also the location where the tragic, unprovoked murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska occurred earlier this year. Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of murdering Zarutskahas, has a long criminal rap sheet and was arrested over a dozen times before ultimately murdering the refugee.

Trump has spoken out against Brown, highlighting his criminal history as a reason why Democrat-run cities like Charlotte are too lax on crime. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is estimating that, based on its current rates, close to 600,000 deportations will take place by the end of Trump’s first year in office. Neither DHS nor the White House responded to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.