Surge in Immigration Enforcement in Charlotte Sparks Fear Among Residents

Sat Nov 15 2025 23:54:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Federal immigration agents have begun a significant enforcement operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Local leaders criticize the actions, emphasizing the fear among residents.

The Department of Homeland Security has initiated a crackdown on immigration in Charlotte, North Carolina, leading to widespread arrests. Local officials, including the mayor, have spoken out against this operation, expressing concern for the safety and wellbeing of residents, especially the immigrant community. As federal agents patrol the city, reports of increased encounters with local citizens have prompted a call for awareness regarding immigrant rights.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal officials confirmed that a surge in immigration enforcement has commenced in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city, with agents making arrests at various sites. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, We are surging DHS law enforcement into Charlotte to ensure public safety and remove threats. However, local leaders, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, have condemned these actions, claiming they instill unnecessary fear among the community.

“We want people in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to know we stand with all residents who simply want to go about their lives,” Lyles said in a joint statement with County Commissioner Mark Jerrell and Stephanie Sneed from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board.

The federal government had not previously disclosed their plans for this crackdown, although Sheriff Garry McFadden noted earlier in the week that he had been informed about the arrival of Customs agents.

Paola Garcia, a representative from Camino, a nonprofit aiding local families, reported a noticeable increase in Border Patrol and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity since Friday, stating, I even saw a few people being pulled over on my way to work yesterday. Local residents, particularly from minority communities, are expressing heightened anxiety, fearing encounters with federal agents.

Willy Aceituno, a U.S. citizen born in Honduras, recounted his experience witnessing Border Patrol agents chasing individuals in the city. He himself was stopped twice, during one incident, agents broke his car window, forcibly removed him, and questioned his citizenship despite his American status. I told them, 'I’m an American citizen.' They didn’t believe me at first, he recounted, adding that he was only allowed to leave after showing documentation verifying his identity.

Charlotte is a diverse city with over 900,000 residents, including around 150,000 immigrants. In response to the recent enforcement actions, local organizations are organizing training sessions to inform immigrants about their rights and are contemplating peaceful protests. Governor Josh Stein criticized the operations, noting that a significant portion of those detained lacked criminal records and included American citizens. He encouraged citizens to report any inappropriate behavior witnessed.

While the operations have been framed as necessary to combat crime and enforce immigration laws, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has reassured residents that they are not participating in these federal enforcement operations.