Federal Immigration Operation Targets North Carolina's Largest City
Charlotte, North Carolina is bracing for the arrival of federal immigration agents as early as this weekend, according to local officials. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed Thursday that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are planning to begin an enforcement operation in the city starting Saturday or early next week.
The sheriff's office received confirmation from two federal officials about the planned operation, though his office declined to identify those individuals. McFadden emphasized that details about the specific nature of the enforcement action remain undisclosed, and his department has not been asked to participate in the operation.
Administration Defends Crackdown in Democratic Strongholds
President Donald Trump has consistently defended sending military and immigration agents into Democratic-run cities, including previous operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C. The administration argues these unprecedented measures are necessary to combat crime and advance the president's mass deportation agenda.
Charlotte represents another Democratic stronghold targeted by these efforts. Local and state officials released a statement of solidarity noting that the city is home to more than 150,000 foreign-born residents. According to demographic data, Charlotte's population is approximately 40% white, 33% Black, 16% Hispanic, and 7% Asian.
The Trump administration has pointed to this summer's fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutskahas on a Charlotte light-rail train as evidence that Democratic-led cities fail to protect residents from violent crime. A man with an extensive criminal record faces murder charges in that case.
Community Response and Preparation Efforts
Activists, faith leaders, and local officials have already begun preparing Charlotte's immigrant community for the expected crackdown. Nearly 500 people participated in a call organized by CharlotteEAST on Wednesday to share information about resources and address concerns.
"The purpose of this call was to create a mutual aid network," explained City Councilmember-Elect JD Mazuera Arias. CharlotteEAST executive director Greg Asciutto encouraged residents to connect with organizations providing support services.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has clarified that it "has no authority to enforce federal immigration laws" and is not involved in planning or conducting these operations. However, Mazuera Arias and other officials report receiving unconfirmed accounts of what appeared to be plainclothes officers in neighborhoods and on public transit.
"This is some of the chaos that we also saw in Chicago," noted state Sen. Caleb Theodros, who represents Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
The Trump administration's "Operation Midway Blitz" began in the Chicago area in early September despite objections from local leaders. The operation initially involved limited arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in suburbs but expanded to include hundreds of Customs and Border Protection agents employing increasingly aggressive tactics. More than 3,200 people suspected of immigration violations have been arrested across the region during these operations.
Community organizations are responding proactively. Indivisible Charlotte and the Carolina Migrant Network will train volunteers Friday on immigrant rights during interactions with immigration authorities and how to identify federal agents.
"They're not always wearing vests that say 'ICE,'" warned Tony Siracusa, spokesperson for Indivisible Charlotte. The groups will also discuss potential "pop up protests" while emphasizing they are not encouraging people to get arrested.
Daniela Andrade, communications director at the Carolina Migrant Network, revealed that organizers canceled a Hispanic heritage festival this year due to immigration enforcement concerns. The organization had been conducting in-person "know your rights" sessions for immigrants since January but switched to virtual events even before Thursday's announcement.
Local residents are "not freaking out, but very definitely concerned," according to Siracusa, with fears centered on family separation and removal from communities where many immigrants have lived for years.
