RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal agents have now arrested more than 250 people during a North Carolina immigration crackdown centered around Charlotte, the state’s largest city, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.
The operation that began over the weekend is the latest phase of Republican President Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation efforts that have sent the military and immigration agents into Democratic-run cities — from Chicago to Los Angeles to Portland, Oregon.
The crackdown has expanded to areas around Raleigh, spreading fear in at least one immigrant-heavy suburb. The escalating operation has drawn both support and significant protests. About 100 people gathered outside a Home Depot in Charlotte, where federal agents have been frequently spotted, holding signs that read, “ICE out of Home Depot, Protect our communities.”
The number of arrests, labeled as “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” is almost double the initial count announced earlier in the week, casting a spotlight on the federal government’s ongoing enforcement actions targeting individuals without legal status and those with criminal records.
The crackdown has created a chilling effect in immigrant neighborhoods, evidenced by a drop in school attendance and closed businesses seeking to avoid confrontations. Fear has spread into suburbs like Cary, which boasts a significant immigrant population.
Looking ahead, federal agents are expected to shift their focus to New Orleans, where approximately 250 Border Patrol agents are slated for a larger operation commencing on December 1st.
DHS officials have outlined minimal details about the arrests or future operations, leaving communities apprehensive and uncertain.
This immigration enforcement push continues to raise concerns and ignite protests across affected areas, reflecting the charged national debate over immigration policy.
