A senior Border Patrol official recently highlighted a wave of arrests in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city, amid reports of federal immigration agents near churches, apartments, and shops.
The Trump administration has increased immigration enforcement in this Democratic city of about 950,000 people to reduce crime despite local opposition and falling crime rates.
Gregory Bovino, who led similar operations in Chicago, shared on social media details of over 80 arrests, describing many detainees as “criminal illegal aliens.” Among those arrested was a man with several drunk-driving convictions.
“We arrested him, taking him off the streets of Charlotte so he can’t continue to ignore our laws and drive intoxicated on the same roads you and your loved ones are on,” Bovino wrote on X.
Called “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” the enforcement sparked concerns over its impact and tactics, which have been criticised elsewhere as aggressive and racially biased. A U.S. citizen also reported being detained forcibly.
At Latino community centre Camino, fear is widespread, with some too scared to leave home for school, work, or medical care. Paola Garcia, a spokesperson, said the dental clinic had nine cancellations recently.
“Latinos love this country. They came here to escape socialism and communism, and they’re hard workers and people of faith,” Garcia said. “It’s sad to see this community now has a target on their back.”
Past operations led by Bovino in Chicago and Los Angeles faced lawsuits over excessive force and chemical agent use. Democratic leaders in those cities faulted agents for heightening tensions; a man was fatally shot during a Chicago-area traffic stop.
Bovino and Trump administration officials defend their tactics as necessary given threats to agents.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Border Patrol, did not respond to requests for comment on Charlotte arrests.
DHS attributes the operation to sanctuary policies in North Carolina, which limit local cooperation with immigration enforcement. Unlike some counties, Mecklenburg County and Charlotte police do not honour immigration detainers or assist federal agents.
DHS claimed about 1,400 detainers statewide have been ignored, posing a public safety risk.
“We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.