Trump admin launches major immigration sweep in Charlotte, NC

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the effort, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” is aimed at locating “criminal illegal aliens” in the city.

Local leaders pushed back almost immediately. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and other officials issued a joint statement saying the operation was creating “unnecessary fear and uncertainty” among residents. They added that community groups are preparing to offer legal help to anyone who needs guidance during the sweep.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the deployment, saying, “We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed.” Internal documents reviewed by CBS News suggest armored vehicles and special operations personnel could be part of the raids.

Some residents reported chaotic scenes as teams moved in. According to the Charlotte Observer, several church members working outside an east-side church ran into nearby woods when agents arrived; one man was detained. “We thought church was safe and nothing [was] gonna happen,” a 15-year-old told the paper.

DHS argues the operation is necessary because North Carolina has not honored nearly 1,400 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers in recent years, something the department linked to “sanctuary policies.” North Carolina is not a sanctuary state, and Charlotte is not a sanctuary city. It is officially designated as a “welcoming city” that promotes immigrant inclusion.

The Trump administration says more cities are set to follow. CBS News reports New Orleans is likely next, with up to 200 agents expected to deploy. Similar operations in Chicago and Los Angeles—some still ongoing—have drawn criticism for alleged excessive force.

Rep. Alma Adams, a North Carolina Democrat, said she was briefed earlier in the week and is “extremely concerned” about the presence of Border Patrol and ICE teams in the city. DHS has not given any timeline for when the Charlotte operation will end, which has left some local officials feeling the situation is a bit unclear.