Federal immigration enforcement operations are detaining people in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina’s two largest cities.
In Raleigh, Mayor Janet Cowell confirmed on Monday evening initial reports that immigration authorities would launch operations in the Triangle the next day. Agents began arresting people at retail sites and apartments on Tuesday.
In Charlotte, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection have arrested over 200 people at churches, apartment complexes and stores in “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
ICE movements in North Carolina follow immigration crackdowns by the Trump administration in Los Angeles and Chicago, both cities with a majority Democratic voting population. In targeting North Carolina, a politically divided battleground state, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it is targeting North Carolina due to so-called sanctuary policies. These policies detail limited interaction between local authorities and immigration agents.
NC Governor Josh Stein said his office was made aware of federal officials’ planned law enforcement operations on the eve of agents making arrests in Raleigh. He asked residents to remain peaceful and encouraged federal officials to treat people fairly.
“Once again, I call on federal agents to target violent criminals, not neighbors walking down the street, going to church or putting up Christmas decorations,” Stein said. “Stop targeting people simply going about their lives because of the color of their skin, as you are doing in Charlotte.”
The recent arrests have drawn partisan reactions from North Carolina officeholders. NC Republicans like Senate leader Phil Berger are standing by the Trump administration’s decision, saying they have “made it a top priority to crack down on illegal immigration in our state.”
In June, the General Assembly passed a law strengthening state and local law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Democrats, meanwhile, have condemned federal agencies’ law enforcement tactics.
On Monday, Cowell said she did not know what the scope of the operations in her city would be or how long they would last. In a statement, Cowell asked Raleigh residents to “remember our values and maintain peace and respect through any upcoming challenges.”
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles expressed her concern over the ongoing operations in her city. In a post to the city government’s social media accounts, Lyles said, “I am deeply concerned with many of the videos I’ve seen, and I urge all agencies operating here to conduct their work with respect for those values.”
In Charlotte, leaders say fear is already deterring people from attending their workplaces, stores and schools. Commercial centers for immigrant communities in the city’s South Boulevard are seeing empty parking lots and dropping customers. Workers at Raleigh’s downtown city hall project site also stayed away from work planned for this week.
Local leaders are also taking steps to support their communities. On Monday, the Charlotte City Council unanimously sent more money to nonprofit organizations working with immigrants.
The University of North Carolina Charlotte’s chancellor Sharon L. Gaber also advised students on navigating encounters with those claiming to be federal law enforcement, telling students to contact campus police to confirm identities and the validity of any subpoenas or warrants presented.
Meanwhile, officials from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools say nearly 21,000 students were absent from classes this past Monday.
Residents are pushing back against immigration enforcement activities. This weekend, hundreds crowded Charlotte, Raleigh and Asheville protesting the first wave of federal arrests. Protestors are urging agents to leave residential areas, capturing their encounters on social media.
At the UNC Charlotte, professors have offered exemptions for students who may be concerned about the ongoing immigration enforcement activities. While no arrests have been made on campus, a driver was detained across from the school on University City Boulevard on Sunday.
Federal agents are reportedly moving into other cities around the state as of Tuesday evening. The Buncombe County Democratic Party reported a “potential ICE presence in Asheville,” and posted information to its X account advising how to navigate encounters with officials.
Agents are expected to remain in the Charlotte area until this Friday.
