Authorities reported that over 130 individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants were apprehended in Charlotte, North Carolina, during a two-day enforcement operation linked to President Donald Trump’s stepped-up deportation initiatives.
Dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the operation has drawn criticism for its potential to fracture families, with enforcement personnel positioned near churches, popular retail areas, and housing complexes.
Among those arrested, DHS disclosed that 44 individuals had prior criminal convictions, including gang affiliations, with charges ranging from DUI to assault. Notably, one of the detainees was a registered sex offender.
Officials defended the operation as a public safety strategy, contending that local authorities had not heeded around 1,400 requests to detain suspects for 48 hours post-release for immigration processing. However, critics point out that Charlotte has seen a 20% drop in violent crime compared to the previous year.
The local immigrant community felt an immediate impact, with businesses on Central Avenue, a key area for immigrants, shutting down temporarily. Manolo Betancur, owner of a bakery that had been operational for nearly three decades, closed his doors, expressing concern over family separation.
The operation was carried out under the leadership of Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol official known for similar actions in other cities like Chicago and Los Angeles. His tactics, which have included the use of chemical agents, have faced backlash from civil rights organizations and local authorities.
Federal immigration officials have indicated plans to broaden their enforcement reach into Raleigh, North Carolina, although local leaders have not been fully informed about the scale or timeline of potential future actions. Currently, ICE detains a record 59,762 individuals nationwide, with the majority lacking any criminal history.
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