Additional Coverage:
Immigration Crackdown Intensifies in North Carolina, Spreading Fear and Expanding South
**RALEIGH, N.C. ** – Federal immigration agents have now apprehended over 250 individuals in North Carolina as part of an ongoing enforcement operation, primarily focused on Charlotte, the state’s largest city.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the escalated figures on Wednesday, signaling a significant expansion of what the government has dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
This latest push, which commenced over the weekend, aligns with Republican President Donald Trump’s broader strategy of aggressive mass deportation efforts. These initiatives have seen military and immigration agents deployed to Democratic-led cities nationwide, from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Since January, immigration officials have intensified their presence across the country, driving detention numbers to unprecedented highs exceeding 60,000. Major urban centers and smaller communities alike are experiencing daily enforcement actions, with notable surges in areas like Portland, Oregon, which saw more than 560 immigration arrests in October.
The North Carolina operation extended its reach to areas surrounding the state capital of Raleigh on Tuesday, sparking apprehension in several immigrant-dense suburbs. Late Wednesday, Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell stated on social media platform X that “border patrol enforcement appears to have been suspended” in the city. However, DHS has not publicly announced any change to its operational presence and did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the mayor’s statement.
The current arrest tally around Charlotte and beyond is approximately double the number initially reported by DHS officials earlier this week. In a statement, the department reiterated that agencies “continue to target some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens,” focusing on individuals residing in the U.S. without legal permission and those with alleged criminal records. Federal officials have provided limited details regarding those arrested or the precise scope of the enforcement operations across North Carolina, leaving communities uncertain about where agents might appear next.
The crackdown in Charlotte has not been without resistance, with pockets of protests emerging. Approximately 100 people gathered outside a Home Depot store in Charlotte on Wednesday, a location where federal agents have been observed multiple times since the operation began. Protest organizers briefly entered the store with signs declaring, “ICE out of Home Depot, Protect our communities.”
The heightened enforcement in Charlotte and the Raleigh area has created a palpable chilling effect within immigrant neighborhoods. Reports indicate a noticeable drop in school attendance and the temporary closure of small shops and restaurants, as proprietors and customers seek to avoid potential confrontations with federal agents.
David Rebolloso, owner of a Charlotte laundromat, recounted how customers abandoned their clothes in machines and never returned after agents appeared at a nearby shopping center on Sunday. While his business was not directly targeted, Rebolloso, a Mexican American born in Brownsville, Texas, noted the significant impact on his bottom line and the closure of neighboring establishments.
“We’re only open because I’m an American citizen, so it doesn’t bother me,” he said. “But of course, business is down.
I have no customers.”
As the North Carolina operation continues, federal Border Patrol agents are reportedly set to arrive in New Orleans by the end of the week, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and sources familiar with the plan. Around 250 federal agents are expected to deploy to New Orleans in the coming weeks for a two-month immigration crackdown, anticipated to begin in earnest on December 1st. Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander slated to lead the Louisiana sweep, has been on the ground in North Carolina this week, overseeing the current operation.
Louisiana Republicans have voiced their support for the impending enforcement. Derek Babcock, chair of the state Republican party, stated that the move demonstrates a commitment from President Trump and Republican Governor Jeff Landry to “keeping our citizens safe.”
Conversely, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana is actively compiling information to help individuals understand their rights and is coordinating with legal services and immigrant community groups. Alanah Odoms of the ACLU of Louisiana urged, “We urge those with privilege and the opportunity to risk it to stand up for their neighbors and friends.”