Protests have erupted in Charlotte, North Carolina, following a series of aggressive immigration arrests conducted by federal agents over the weekend and into Monday. Authorities confirmed that at least 130 people have been detained in the ongoing operation, which has drawn fierce criticism from local leaders and residents alike.
Governor Condemns 'Fear-Stoking' Tactics
North Carolina's Democratic governor, Josh Stein, issued a strong condemnation of the enforcement actions, warning they are simply "stoking fear" and causing severe community disruption. In a video statement released on Sunday, Governor Stein described witnessing "masked, heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars" and accused them of targeting American citizens based on their skin colour.
The Trump administration dispatched border patrol agents to Charlotte on Saturday to bolster operations by Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). While the White House has argued this focus on the Democratic-run city of approximately 950,000 people is a crime-combating measure, this justification has been met with scepticism as the city's crime rates have been declining.
Community Outcry and Business Impact
The enforcement actions sparked immediate outrage, with numerous reports of encounters with immigration agents near churches, apartment complexes, and stores. Residents described agents chasing and arresting people, with some US citizens reportedly caught up in the operations.
The impact on local business was swift and severe. Manolo Betancur, owner of Manolo’s Bakery—a Latino-run establishment operating in Charlotte since 1997—made the decision to close his business temporarily. He stated that immigration enforcement officers were targeting his customers, making it impossible to operate normally.
On Saturday, some typically bustling commercial districts came to a virtual standstill as shoppers remained home to avoid potential encounters with ICE or Border Patrol agents.
Divergent Perspectives on Enforcement
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the operations, with assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating in a release that Border Patrol officers had arrested "over 130 illegal aliens who have all broken" immigration laws. The agency claimed the records of those arrested included gang membership, aggravated assault, shoplifting and other crimes, though it provided no details on convictions or pending charges.
Meanwhile, Kyle Kirby, chairman of the Mecklenburg county Republican party, voiced support for the administration's efforts. In a post on Saturday, he stated that the county GOP "stands with the rule of law – and with every Charlottean’s safety first".
The DHS has indicated it is focusing on North Carolina due to so-called sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between local authorities and immigration agents. While several North Carolina county jails honour immigration detainers, Mecklenburg county—which includes Charlotte—does not. The city's police department also does not assist with immigration enforcement.
Despite the tension, Governor Stein called for residents to remain peaceful and advised them to record and report any incidents they believe to be wrongful to local law enforcement.
