North Carolina Immigration Raids: Who’s Being Arrested and Why

A large federal immigration operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, resulted in more than 130 arrests over the weekend, marking one of the most visible enforcement actions carried out under President Donald Trump’s current deportation campaign.

The two-day sweep, known as Operation Charlotte’s Web, unfolded across church car parks, residential areas, and busy commercial corridors. The activity placed the Democratic-leaning financial hub under an unusually heavy federal presence.

Homeland Security officials said the operation was designed to remove individuals they consider public-safety risks. According to the agency, 44 of those detained have criminal histories, including two suspected gang members, and one is a registered sex offender.

The operation’s name drew objections from the family of author EB White. His granddaughter, Martha White, criticised the use of the children’s book title for an enforcement effort expected to separate families. She said her grandfather would not have supported raids carried out by agents in unmarked vehicles and without clear identification.

The strategy is led by senior US Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who has overseen comparable actions in Chicago and Los Angeles. Bovino often serves as the public spokesperson for these efforts, releasing arrest figures and defending the tactics used. 

His earlier remarks to the Associated Press about the deployment of chemical agents have added to the scrutiny surrounding the current operation. City officials argue that the raids do not reflect local crime trends. Charlotte reports an 8 percent drop in overall crime over the past year and a 20 percent drop in violent offences. 

Despite this, federal authorities have linked the operation to recent high-profile incidents, including the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. The suspect in that case is a US citizen, but federal officials cite his criminal history as evidence of local shortcomings.

Tensions have also risen over immigration detainers. DHS says Mecklenburg County declined nearly 1,400 requests to hold individuals for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release so ICE could assume custody. Sheriff Garry McFadden maintains he has asked ICE to coordinate its work more clearly and to provide advance notice to reduce risks to residents.

The raids have had an immediate impact on immigrant neighbourhoods along Central Avenue. Several businesses closed temporarily after reports of Border Patrol activity. Manolo’s Bakery shut its doors for the first time in almost 30 years, with the owner saying fear among customers and staff had become overwhelming. 

Other businesses, including Pisco Peruvian Gastrolounge, also closed temporarily.

Officials in Raleigh say they have been told their city may be the next site of expanded operations. Mayor Janet Cowell confirmed the notification but said federal authorities have not released details. Raleigh now prepares for possible disruption as its leaders call for calm.

The raids take place amid record-high national detention levels. TRAC Reports states that ICE held 59,762 people in custody in late September, the highest figure ever recorded. Most detainees have no criminal convictions, and many of those with convictions were cited for minor offences such as traffic violations.