CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Federal immigration agents carried out a sweeping operation in Charlotte over the weekend, arresting dozens of people in what officials are calling “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” The large-scale enforcement effort, led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has ignited widespread concern among community leaders and residents across North Carolina’s largest city.
According to Gregory Bovino, a top border patrol commander who previously oversaw similar raids in Chicago, the latest operation resulted in 81 arrests within five hours, targeting individuals he described as having “significant criminal and immigration history.” Bovino shared images of some detainees on social media, including a man accused of repeated drunk-driving offenses, claiming that agents had removed “dangerous individuals” from Charlotte’s streets.
Federal Crackdown Sparks Local Backlash
Despite federal claims of targeting “criminal illegal aliens,” local officials and advocacy groups have condemned the raids, arguing that they are sowing fear and division in immigrant communities.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell, and School Board Chair Stephanie Sneed issued a joint statement denouncing the operation, saying it was “causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community.”
“Our diversity makes us stronger,” their statement read. “These operations have resulted in people without criminal records being detained and violent protests sparked by unwarranted actions.”
Several businesses across Charlotte reportedly closed their doors over the weekend as word spread of immigration agents operating near churches, schools, and apartment complexes. According to Greg Asciutto, executive director of the community development group CharlotteEast, reports of CBP activity became “overwhelming” as the operation expanded.
“In just two hours, we received countless reports of CBP presence at churches, apartment complexes, and even a hardware store,” Asciutto said.
Community in Fear as Churches and Nonprofits Respond
At Camino, a local nonprofit that serves Latino families, staff reported widespread cancellations at their dental clinic and community programs.
“People were afraid to leave their homes,” said Paola Garcia, a spokesperson for the group. “Latinos love this country—they came here to escape socialism and communism, and they’re hard workers and people of faith. It’s heartbreaking that they now feel targeted.”
Immigrant advocacy organizations, including Siembra NC, criticized the raids as politically motivated and harmful to public trust.
“It’s a shameful day for the North Carolina Republican Party, who cheered these so-called law enforcement officers carrying out terrorist operations,” said Nikki Marín Baena, co-director of Siembra NC.
The group noted that prior to this weekend, the largest single-day immigration arrest total in North Carolina had been 30.
National Pattern of Enforcement
“Operation Charlotte’s Web” follows a string of similar federal crackdowns under the Trump administration, with major sweeps previously reported in Chicago and Los Angeles. Those operations led to lawsuits and investigations over alleged use of excessive force, including the deployment of chemical agents against demonstrators.
Officials in Charlotte fear a similar outcome, warning that federal intervention could inflame tensions in a city already navigating complex social and political divisions.
City Council member-elect JD Mazuera Arias expressed outrage at reports of agents appearing near houses of worship.
“Targeting churches is just awful,” Arias said. “These are sanctuaries where people come seeking peace and faith. No one should have to fear worshiping in their own community.”
Ongoing Uncertainty
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not yet disclosed details about those arrested or the specific charges they face. Officials have declined to confirm whether individuals without criminal histories were detained.
As of Sunday evening, fear continued to grip Charlotte’s immigrant neighborhoods, with community members using whistles and neighborhood alerts to warn others of possible CBP sightings.
Advocates and local leaders say they plan to continue pressing for transparency and accountability from federal authorities while urging residents to remain calm and informed.
Stay with HonkNews.com for ongoing updates and local reaction as Charlotte navigates the aftermath of this controversial immigration crackdown.