BREAKING: An urgent immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, has led to over 80 arrests as local residents report encounters with federal agents at churches, stores, and apartment complexes. The operation, dubbed Operation Charlotte’s Web, was announced by Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino on Sunday, raising significant concerns among community leaders and residents.
In a city of approximately 950,000 people, local leaders are voicing strong objections to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration tactics, especially in a context where crime rates are trending downwards. Residents have reported unsettling interactions, including one incident where a U.S. citizen was reportedly thrown to the ground and briefly detained.
Cmdr. Bovino, who previously led CBP efforts in Chicago, shared images on social media of individuals he labeled as “criminal illegal aliens,” including a man accused of multiple drunk driving offenses. “We arrested him, taking him off the streets of Charlotte so he can’t continue to ignore our laws,” Bovino stated on X, emphasizing the operation’s intent to enhance public safety.
The operation is generating widespread fear within the Latino community, with reports of increased anxiety leading to canceled appointments and missed work. Paola Garcia, a spokesperson for a local nonprofit that aids Latino residents, expressed the emotional toll: “Latinos love this country… It’s just so sad to see that this community now has this target on their back.”
Concerns are mounting about the treatment of detainees and the tactics employed by federal agents, which have drawn criticism in other cities for being excessively aggressive. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not provided specifics about the operation, prompting questions on the duration of the enforcement actions and the conditions detainees will face.
According to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the focus on North Carolina stems from “sanctuary policies” that limit local cooperation with immigration enforcement. State officials claim that approximately 1,400 detainers issued to local jails have not been honored, posing potential public safety threats.
As reports of CBP activity surged throughout the day, Greg Asciutto, executive director of the community development group CharlotteEast, described the situation as “overwhelming,” with numerous reports of federal presence being documented at various locations in the city.
City council member-elect JD Mazuera Arias condemned the focus on places of worship, stating, “These are sanctuaries for people who are looking for hope and faith in dark times.” He highlighted the distress caused by federal actions on communities seeking refuge.
In a separate incident, two individuals were arrested during a small protest outside a DHS office in Charlotte, raising further alarm over civil rights implications. Xavier T. de Janon, an attorney representing the arrested protestors, reported uncertainty regarding the charges they face.
With the operation underway, community leaders are urging local and federal officials to reconsider the strategies being employed, emphasizing the need for dialogue and understanding rather than opposition and fear. As this situation develops, all eyes will remain on Charlotte, where the impacts of federal immigration policies are being felt acutely by residents.
This ongoing situation calls for immediate attention as community members navigate the uncertainty surrounding their safety and rights.
