Federal immigration raids in Charlotte detain over 130, protests grow

Federal immigration enforcement operations in Charlotte, carried out under the name Operation Charlotte’s Web by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Department of Homeland Security components, detained more than 130 people in the Charlotte area in the first 48 hours, federal officials and local reporting said on November 19. Authorities said the sweep targeted people the government alleges are in the United States illegally and included individuals with prior criminal records, but the rapid pace and tactics have fueled widespread unease.

Videos and eyewitness accounts circulating on social media showed street arrests that many residents described as aggressive. Immigrant advocacy groups and local officials say the raids have sown fear across neighborhoods, prompted school walkouts and led some Latino owned businesses to temporarily shutter. Protesters and civil rights organizations have taken to the streets demanding transparency and assurances that long standing residents and mixed status families will not be wrongfully swept up.

Charlotte city and North Carolina state leaders criticized the operation’s secrecy and tactics, saying local law enforcement and municipal officials were not coordinated with federal agents. Officials expressed concern about potential civil rights impacts and the chilling effect on cooperation with local policing. Federal authorities counter that the operation is focused on public safety threats and people with criminal histories, framing the action as part of a broader national immigration enforcement push.

Public health and social service providers warn the raids may produce immediate and longer term harms to community health. Health clinics that serve immigrant patients reported cancellations and lower turnout for appointments as families weigh the risks of leaving home. Community health workers and school nurses described disruptions to routine care, preventive services and school enrollment processes, as parents withdraw children from classrooms amid safety fears. Mental health clinicians say anxiety and trauma can intensify when enforcement actions are visible and persistent, and when there is uncertainty about the duration and scope of operations.

The economic ripple effects were evident in neighborhoods where small businesses closed temporarily. Restaurant owners, day labor centers and service employers reported fewer workers and lower foot traffic, raising concerns about lost income for low wage workers and for businesses that operate on thin margins. Local organizers warned that the combined health, economic and social impacts fall disproportionately on immigrant families and communities of color, exacerbating existing inequities.

Questions remain about how long Operation Charlotte’s Web will continue and whether similar sweeps will expand to other North Carolina cities. The clash between federal enforcement objectives and local calls for coordination underscores longstanding policy debates about immigration, public safety and community trust. Advocates and elected officials are calling for clearer oversight and communication to reduce harm, while federal leaders emphasize the importance of removing individuals they contend pose threats to public safety. As demonstrations continue, the immediate balance between enforcement and the health and stability of affected communities is likely to shape local politics and public health outcomes in the weeks ahead.