Over the weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, a federal immigration operation led to more than 130 arrests and prompted some local businesses and community programs to close out of fear. Residents described widespread sightings of Border Patrol agents, clashes at storefronts and cancelled community activities, and some people reported staying home to avoid encounters. Authorities say many arrested had criminal records; local advocates and witnesses contend the actions have sown fear and may include racial profiling. The events have revived national scrutiny of targeted enforcement campaigns that have appeared in other U.S. cities in recent months.
Key takeaways
- Border Patrol began an operation dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web” on Saturday, and DHS reports more than 130 people were arrested in the Charlotte area during the initial phase.
- Some arrests reportedly took place at everyday locations: a Home Depot parking lot, grocery stores, churches, apartment complexes and near small businesses.
- Several businesses, including a popular Latino bakery, and after-school programs cancelled operations Monday amid visible Border Patrol activity and community fear.
- DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said some detainees have criminal histories, listing offenses from aggravated assault to illegal re-entry; local legal groups are working to verify individual records.
- Advocates say detentions included U.S. citizens and long-term residents who feared being targeted because of appearance or language; one Honduran-born U.S. citizen, Willy Aceituno, recorded agents breaking his car window during an encounter.
- Attorneys say some arrests were sent to Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, increasing logistical barriers to counsel because of distance and facility isolation.
- Community leaders reported a pastor and a man volunteering at a church cleanup as among those detained; at least one person was hospitalized after a panic attack following arrest.
Background
Federal immigration enforcement has, in recent months, carried out highly visible operations in multiple U.S. cities. DHS and Border Patrol have focused deployments in urban areas they identify for enforcement, with prior actions reported in Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago. Those campaigns have often been framed by authorities as targeting people with criminal records or prior deportation orders, while advocates argue they disproportionately affect Hispanic and immigrant communities.
Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and hosts sizable immigrant and refugee populations, including Spanish-speaking congregations, small businesses and nonprofits serving newcomers. Because the two Carolinas lack large federal detention facilities, detainees arrested there are commonly transferred to distant centers such as the privately run Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, complicating access to attorneys and family visits.
Main event
Authorities say the enforcement push began Saturday; DHS labeled it “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” Over the following days, residents and advocacy groups reported dozens of Border Patrol sightings across uptown and surrounding neighborhoods. Multiple witnesses recorded agents approaching vehicles and surrounding people in shopping centers and near community institutions.
One recording circulated to reporters shows agents smashing a car window and pulling a man, identified by local outlets as Willy Aceituno, from his vehicle after officers questioned him while he was getting breakfast. Aceituno told a network affiliate he feared for his safety during the encounter. DHS later posted a statement accusing him of attempting to distract officers so others could evade custody.
Community organizations said agents appeared near after-school programs and at least one community center that serves refugee and immigrant children; programs were cancelled Monday as a precaution. A pastor reported an arrest to a migrant legal hotline, and advocates documented an arrest of a volunteer participating in a church cleanup day who was later hospitalized after a panic attack.
Analysis & implications
Operationally, concentrated enforcement in urban neighborhoods can have immediate public-safety trade-offs: officials contend it removes individuals with criminal histories from streets, while advocates argue it deters victims and witnesses from engaging with police or public services for fear of immigration checks. In Charlotte, business owners said visible enforcement led customers and employees to stay home, an economic hit for small enterprises that depend on daily foot traffic.
The transfer of detainees to distant facilities like Stewart raises access-to-justice concerns. Attorneys describe delays of days before detainees can meet counsel, and geographic isolation increases the logistical and financial burdens on families and legal teams trying to coordinate representation or monitor cases.
Politically, these operations are likely to inflame debates over federal priorities and local cooperation with immigration authorities. Cities that have been targeted previously have seen protests and legal challenges; similar responses emerged in Charlotte, signaling potential litigation or policy pushback from local officials and advocacy groups.
Comparison & data
| City | Operation / Report | Arrests (reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | Operation Charlotte’s Web (Border Patrol/DHS) | More than 130 (DHS) |
| Chicago, IL | Targeted enforcement campaign (media reports) | Hundreds (Chicago Tribune reported many had no criminal records) |
| Los Angeles & Portland | Prior deployments mentioned by DHS | Reported targeted enforcement; specific counts vary by city |
The table summarizes publicly reported figures and media accounts referenced by authorities and local outlets. Exact counts and case-level details remain subject to review by legal advocates and official record checks.
Reactions & quotes
Local residents and small business owners expressed fear and frustration at rapid, visible enforcement.
“I’m carrying my passport now — it’s sad that I have to do that to feel safe,”
Jonathan Ocampo, Charlotte resident
Federal officials emphasized lawbreaking among those detained, while community legal advocates disputed the characterization and warned of racial profiling.
“Those arrested in North Carolina have all broken the immigration laws of our country,”
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS spokesperson
Advocates described the enforcement as disruptive to community cohesion and services.
“This is about causing fear and destroying, really destroying our community,”
Stefania Arteaga, Carolina Migrant Network co-executive director
Unconfirmed
- The specific breakdown of criminal convictions among those arrested reported by DHS has not been independently verified for each individual by public records in all cases.
- The exact number and final locations of detainees transferred from Charlotte to Stewart or other facilities remain incompletely documented publicly.
- Reports that all persons detained were noncitizens conflict with witness accounts claiming some detained were U.S. citizens; case-level immigration status for each detainee is not fully confirmed in public records.
Bottom line
The Charlotte enforcement operation has had immediate social and economic effects: visible detentions coincided with the temporary closure of small businesses, cancellations of community programs and elevated fear among residents, particularly those from Hispanic and immigrant communities. Federal authorities frame the activity as law enforcement focused on individuals with criminal records, while local advocates and witnesses argue the campaign has been heavy-handed and indiscriminate in its impact.
Going forward, expect local legal groups to scrutinize detention records and push for transparency about criteria used for arrests and transfers. The episode also underscores a broader national pattern of highly visible, targeted immigration enforcement that can shift local dynamics — prompting protests, legal challenges and policy debates over federal tactics and local protections.
Sources
- NBC News — reporting on Charlotte enforcement and local reactions (national news outlet)
- Department of Homeland Security — official statements and press releases (federal agency)
- Chicago Tribune — prior reporting on enforcement actions in Chicago (major newspaper)
- ICE / Stewart Detention Center information — facility and capacity context (federal agency)