North Carolina Immigration Crackdown: Over 250 Arrested Amid Community Turmoil

Wed Nov 19 2025 21:17:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant increase in arrests has struck North Carolina's immigrant communities as federal agents ramp up immigration enforcement in Charlotte and surrounding areas, raising fears and protests among residents.

The recent immigration crackdown in North Carolina, dubbed 'Operation Charlotte’s Web', has resulted in more than 250 arrests as federal agents target undocumented individuals and those with criminal records. The operation, linked to the Trump administration's broader deportation strategy, has elicited protests and community fear, particularly in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. While federal officials remain tight-lipped about future operations, the chilling atmosphere is palpable, affecting schools and local businesses.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal agents have arrested over 250 individuals during a crackdown on immigration enforcement across North Carolina, particularly in Charlotte, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This operation, which kicked off over the weekend, follows a broader national strategy implemented under President Donald Trump's administration focusing on aggressive deportation efforts.

The operation, termed 'Operation Charlotte's Web', signifies a significant escalation of federal immigration enforcement in Democratic-led cities, causing anxiety among immigrant communities in the region. Reports indicate that the enforcement activities have extended even to the suburbs of Raleigh, exacerbating fears among those living without legal status.

The Department of Homeland Security declared that its objective is to apprehend 'some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens'. However, detailed information regarding those arrested has been scarce, keeping local communities on edge about the potential for future raids.

In response to the raids, protests have emerged, with approximately 100 people gathering outside a Home Depot store in Charlotte, where federal agents have been spotted repeatedly. Protesters displayed signs reading, 'ICE out of Home Depot, Protect our communities', voicing their resistance to the clampdown.

The crackdown's impact is evident: school attendance has declined, and businesses in immigrant-dense neighborhoods have reported a downturn in customers. Fear has spread particularly in Cary, a suburb where nearly 20% of the population is foreign-born, prompting empty shopping centers and quiet restaurants.

Local officials described a tangible chilling effect, where people are avoiding public spaces, fearing potential encounters with federal agents. This unsettling environment is made worse by reports of additional Border Patrol agents preparing for enforcement actions in other regions such as New Orleans, pointing to a possible national expansion of such operations in the coming weeks.

Although the specific details about future operations remain unclear, the Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement continues to stir debate, with communities caught in a bind between federal policy and local realities.