Last week, a wave of discussion erupted among North Carolina’s state and local Democrats following rumors that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was preparing to initiate immigration enforcement actions in Charlotte. This development comes on the heels of successful efforts to apprehend criminal illegal aliens in Chicago.

The announcement prompted a flurry of responses, notably from city council members and the sheriff of Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is situated. However, it was the responses from a congresswoman and the state’s governor that particularly caught the attention of Gregory Bovino, a commander with the Border Patrol. Bovino took to his X account to address what he saw as a lack of distinction made by these officials between “immigrant” and “illegal alien,” offering them a basic clarification on the matter.

“Immigrants rest assured, we have your back like we did in Chicago and Los Angeles,” he wrote. “Rep. Adams, perhaps you & Gov. STEIN should learn the difference between an illegal alien & an immigrant. Illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities and should self deport via CBP Home.”