Additional Coverage:
- New images show Border Patrol agents wrestling bloodied migrant to ground in North Carolina (themirror.com)
“Operation Charlotte’s Web” Expands Across North Carolina, Raising Concerns
Charlotte, NC – A federal immigration enforcement initiative, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” saw a man detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Charlotte today, November 19, 2025. This apprehension is part of a broader surge in immigration enforcement that began over the weekend in Charlotte and has since expanded to the Raleigh area.
While a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that federal agencies “continue to target some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” eyewitness accounts and online videos suggest a different reality. Many individuals detained claim to have no criminal history, and some are reportedly legal residents or even American citizens.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, expressed his concern, noting that “the vast majority of people they have detained have no criminal convictions, and some are American citizens.”
The operation, which has resulted in over 130 arrests since its inception, extended its reach to Wake and Durham counties on Tuesday. This expansion has led to palpable fear in immigrant-heavy suburbs, with reports of restaurants closing and residents opting to stay home.
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell confirmed “confirmed sightings” of Border Patrol officers in Wake and Durham counties during a city council meeting. She previously stated her uncertainty regarding the operation’s scale and duration, urging Charlotte residents feeling unsafe to contact local police and encouraging peaceful protest. Mayor Cowell also added a plea for community solidarity: “And just be particularly kind to your neighbors today.”
Despite federal officials’ assertions that the crackdown aims to reduce crime, both Charlotte and Raleigh leaders report that crime rates were already on the decline.
Anxiety Spreads in Raleigh Suburb of Cary
Federal officials have remained silent regarding specific activities in the Raleigh area. However, in Cary, a suburb where nearly 20% of the population is foreign-born, anxiety is rapidly escalating.
Local resident Pamela Hoile captured video of a large black SUV with tinted windows and Texas plates driving through downtown Cary. She further reported that two such SUVs stopped at a construction site, where she filmed agents detaining four workers. Hoile, who described herself as “a very outraged, horrified and concerned citizen” in a phone interview after posting the video, highlighted the growing apprehension in the community.