CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A wave of federal immigration enforcement operations has begun in North Carolina's largest city, with agents conducting arrests in various neighborhoods. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed.
Local leaders, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, criticized these actions, labeling them as instigators of fear and instability within the community. In a joint statement signed with County Commissioner Mark Jerrell and Stephanie Sneed of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg education board, they reassured residents, saying, We stand with all residents who simply want to go about their lives.
Though the federal government had not previously disclosed these operations, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed earlier in the week that Customs agents would be arriving in the area. Local organizations are responding with information sessions on immigrants' rights and are considering peaceful protests in light of the heightened enforcement.
Paola Garcia, a spokesperson for a community nonprofit, reported an uptick in the presence of Border Patrol and ICE agents, noting, There have been lots of people being pulled over. I even saw a few people being pulled over on the way to work yesterday.
Residents have shared alarming experiences. Willy Aceituno, a U.S. citizen originally from Honduras, recounted how he was stopped and treated aggressively by Border Patrol agents who broke his car window. Aceituno recalled, “I told them, ‘I’m an American citizen.’” Following verification of his identity, he was eventually allowed to leave.
Charlotte is a diverse city with a significant immigrant population, which has prompted local organizations to mobilize, sharing information on rights and advocating for community support amidst these federal actions. Governor Josh Stein noted that a vast majority of those detained during such enforcement efforts are without criminal convictions, urging onlookers to record any misconduct observed.
