Charlotte Gripped by Fear as Federal Agents Launch Immigration Crackdown
The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been brought to a standstill following the arrival of federal immigration agents, with businesses closing and thousands of residents refusing to leave their homes. The operation, dubbed 'Operation Charlotte's Web' by the Department of Homeland Security, began on 19 November 2025 and has resulted in more than 250 arrests across the state.
Community Resistance and Business Closures
Central Avenue, typically a bustling hub of immigrant-owned businesses, has become a ghost town. Manolo's Bakery, a local institution operating for 28 years, voluntarily closed its doors to protect staff from potential targeting. Owner Manolo Betancur, a US citizen originally from Colombia, stated he would remain closed until his community feels safe again, despite Thanksgiving being his most profitable period.
Dozens of protesters have established camp in the bakery's parking lot, waving signs in support of immigrants. The scene reflects growing tension between federal authorities and local residents, with some drivers honking horns to warn others of approaching immigration vehicles.
Indiscriminate Targeting and Community Impact
Gerardo Ortiz, a Puerto Rican and therefore a born American citizen, reported being detained twice by federal agents despite his legal status. "I felt like I lose my liberty in that moment," Ortiz recounted, describing how agents handcuffed him and demanded identification while his hands were restrained behind his back.
The enforcement actions have extended beyond street-level operations. On Monday morning, Customs and Border Protection agents attempted to raid OurBridge, an after-school programme serving children from various backgrounds including Tanzania. The programme has since suspended services indefinitely.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district witnessed dramatic absenteeism, with more than 30,000 students missing school on Monday compared to the usual 9,000-10,000 absences. Sandra Speight, a Charlotte teacher, reported that half of her special-needs class was absent, with Hispanic students specifically expressing fear about attending.
Official Responses and Local Condemnation
The Department of Homeland Security justified the operation as necessary to address what assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin called "violent criminal illegal aliens." McLaughlin stated the surge in officers aimed to protect Americans when "sanctuary politicians won't."
Local authorities have pushed back strongly. The Mecklenburg county commissioners passed a resolution supporting the immigrant community, while the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department clarified that its officers do not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities.
Beth Clements, who fosters unaccompanied minors who crossed the US-Mexico border, described the operations as "about cruelty, from the administration down." She now keeps the schools her foster children attend secret for their protection.
Economic and Social Fallout
The immigration crackdown has disrupted normal economic activity across Charlotte. Chef Ammalu Saleh, an American citizen running Serengeti Kitchen, reported being unable to source her bestselling halal lamb because delivery drivers from "the targeted population" were unavailable.
Steven Lewis, executive director of the Boost Pad, confirmed that an event for Charlotte's global entrepreneurship week had been cancelled at Camino Church due to safety concerns. This came after immigration agents made an arrest in front of a congregation at another Latino church over the weekend.
Ezra Rash, a staff attorney at the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, has advised clients to remain indoors and moved court appearances online. "It's really dangerous to be on the road right now," he warned, reflecting the pervasive fear affecting both documented and undocumented immigrants alike.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Charlotte's immigrant community faces an uncertain future, with business owners like Betancur vowing to "be part of the solution" while federal authorities show no signs of scaling back their operations.
