130 Arrested in Charlotte as Federal Immigration Operation Expands

Federal immigration authorities have arrested 130 people in Charlotte, North Carolina, during a two-day enforcement operation that forms part of the ongoing national immigration crackdown. According to officials from the Department of Homeland Security, several of the individuals taken into custody had prior criminal records, and two were identified as gang members. Others had been convicted of offenses such as assault on law enforcement, driving while intoxicated, theft, and tampering with government documents. The agency also reported that a US citizen allegedly injured an officer after driving a vehicle into a law enforcement car while attempting to flee during the operation.

The arrests began over the weekend, with federal officer Greg Bovino confirming that 81 people were detained within just five hours on Saturday. Charlotte, a significantly smaller city compared to previous enforcement zones like Los Angeles and Chicago, became the latest focal point in the expanding federal initiative. Online posts by officials referred to the enforcement effort as “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” and residents documented the presence of heavily armed agents across several neighborhoods. Many migrant families chose to remain inside their homes due to fear and uncertainty, a pattern observed in other cities facing heightened immigration activity.

Local leaders expressed deep concern about the methods used during the operation. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said that the community felt threatened and destabilized after witnessing multiple videos of masked agents conducting arrests. She urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the city stands with anyone feeling anxious or unsafe. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also criticized the federal response, stating that unmarked cars, armed agents, and alleged racial profiling were contributing to fear rather than improving public safety.

The operation, which continues without a confirmed end date, triggered widespread protests in Charlotte. Community members marched to express their opposition to the immigration crackdown and to highlight the impact of the raids on daily life, work, school attendance, and public trust. The Department of Homeland Security shared footage of a white van being pursued by officers, claiming the driver attempted to escape and collided with police vehicles before being arrested. Federal officials said that similar enforcement efforts in other major cities, including Chicago, are still ongoing and have been active for months.

Immigration policy analysts note that large-scale enforcement operations often heighten tension between federal and local authorities, especially when local leaders believe the actions disrupt community stability. Experts also point out that increased federal activity has contributed to a decline in illegal border entries, though the long-term effects of such operations remain debated. As Charlotte becomes the newest city under enhanced federal scrutiny, residents and officials continue to call for clarity on how long the enforcement will last and what its broader impact will be.