Federal immigration enforcement operations have commenced in Charlotte, North Carolina, leading to widespread fear among residents and prompting some businesses to close their doors. U.S.
Border Patrol agents have been observed making arrests in various locations throughout the city. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated the surge is intended to enhance safety and remove public safety threats, emphasizing that Americans should not live in fear of violent criminal illegal aliens.
Local officials, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, have condemned the operations, arguing they create unnecessary fear and uncertainty, and pledged support for all residents. These actions come despite a reported decrease in crime in Charlotte earlier in the year.
The enforcement push follows rumors of impending federal activity, with County Sheriff Garry McFadden having been informed of Customs agents' arrival. Charlotte, a diverse city with a significant foreign-born population, has seen instances of individuals being stopped by Border Patrol, including a U.S.
citizen who reported being forcibly removed from his vehicle and detained until his citizenship was verified. Community organizations have reported an increase in stops by immigration agents, with observations of both targeted arrests and broader questioning.
One resident described witnessing Border Patrol agents approach two workers hanging Christmas lights in her yard, though no arrests were made in that instance. The presence of federal agents has caused significant disruption, with reports of Latin American bakeries closing due to fear of the crackdown, impacting local livelihoods and the economy.
Critics argue the operations are a violation of constitutional rights and question the necessity of such enforcement in a non-border city. While some, like the Mecklenburg County Republican Party Chairman, welcomed the operations and stated that those in the country legally have nothing to fear, several hundred people protested the crackdown.
Governor Josh Stein previously noted that many individuals detained in such operations lack criminal convictions and some may even be U.S. citizens, urging residents to report any inappropriate behavior.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has clarified it is not involved in federal immigration enforcement.
