Federal immigration officers have launched a major enforcement operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, triggering widespread fear and condemnation from local officials and residents. The raids, which began on Saturday, have seen armed and masked agents targeting individuals across the city, including at a local church.
Church Raid and Community Terror
Among the most alarming incidents reported was a raid on a church in east Charlotte. According to local media, about 15 to 20 parishioners were performing yard work on the property when federal agents arrived. The pastor, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the agents asked no questions and showed no identification before arresting one man.
The man's wife and child were inside the church at the time of his arrest. The pastor described a climate of terror, saying, "Right now, everybody is scared. Everybody." He further alleged that an agent pushed another individual from the church and threatened to arrest him.
Encounters on the Streets
The enforcement actions were not confined to the church. In another east Charlotte neighbourhood, two workers hanging Christmas lights were approached by two Customs and Border Protection agents. Rheba Hamilton, 73, witnessed the event and recorded it on her phone. She reported that one agent attempted to speak to the workers in Spanish, but they did not respond, and the agents eventually left without making any arrests.
"This is real disconcerting, but the main thing is we've got two human beings in my yard trying to make a living. They've broken no laws, and that's what concerns me," Hamilton said. She suggested the agents were "looking for easy pickings" where there was no media presence.
The operations also ensnared US citizens. Willy Aceituno, a 46-year-old Honduran-born American citizen, reported being stopped twice by agents. During the second encounter, he claimed agents forced him from his vehicle after breaking its window. Despite telling them he was an American citizen, he was detained in a border patrol vehicle and only released after providing documents proving his status.
Political Fallout and Official Responses
The raids have ignited a fierce political debate. Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant homeland security secretary, defended the actions in a statement, saying federal agents are "surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed."
In stark contrast, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and other local officials criticised the sweeps, stating they "are causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty." City council member JD Mazuera Arias questioned the very presence of border patrol in a non-border state, calling it "a gross violation of constitutional rights for not only immigrants but for US citizens."
Democratic Governor Josh Stein noted that the majority of people detained in such operations have no criminal convictions, while Mecklenburg county Republican party chair Kyle Kirby supported the raids, stating that individuals in the country legally have nothing to fear.
The situation has led to business closures and a palpable sense of dread in parts of the city. The targeted church has suspended its services until congregants feel safe to gather again. As 15-year-old Miguel Vazquez poignantly told the Charlotte Observer, "We thought church was safe and nothing gonna happen. But it did happen."
