RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal immigration crackdown centered around Charlotte, North Carolina, has officially come to an end after less than a week, as U.S. Border Patrol agents redirect their efforts towards New Orleans.
Federal officials confirmed the conclusion of 'Operation Charlotte's Web' following a surge that resulted in hundreds of arrests, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office. The latest operation marks an ongoing strategy from the administration aimed at enforcing immigration policies nationwide.
No operations were reported on Thursday, and federal agents are set to begin new initiatives in New Orleans, with expectations of as many as 250 federal troops arriving by early December for 'Swamp Sweep,' a campaign targeting immigration violations in Louisiana.
In North Carolina alone, the crackdown led to more than 250 arrests by Tuesday night, though limited details on those apprehended were released by Homeland Security. The heavy federal presence sparked protests and pushback within the Charlotte community, as immigrant neighborhoods reported drops in school attendance, while local businesses shut down to avoid confrontations.
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell announced the suspension of border patrol enforcement in the city, with the operation having expanded to suburban areas where a significant percentage of residents are immigrants. Homeland Security attributed the crackdown's motivation to sanctuary city policies in place there.
Overall, immigration enforcement has intensified across the U.S. since the beginning of the year, and federal officials have indicated ongoing efforts will continue to target both urban and rural locations, underscoring a consistent push to bolster enforcement.
