Over 250 Arrested in North Carolina Immigration Crackdown

Wed Nov 19 2025 20:41:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A large-scale immigration enforcement operation in North Carolina has resulted in over 250 arrests, raising concerns and protests among immigrant communities in the area.

Federal authorities have intensified their immigration enforcement efforts in North Carolina, particularly in and around Charlotte, leading to more than 250 arrests since the weekend. Dubbed 'Operation Charlotte's Web', the crackdown has sparked fear in immigrant neighborhoods, causing school attendance to drop and businesses to shut down. Activists have organized protests against the operation, emphasizing the negative impact on local communities. Meanwhile, preparations for similar operations in other states are underway, highlighting the ongoing focus on immigration enforcement under the current administration.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal agents have arrested over 250 individuals as part of a significant immigration crackdown in North Carolina, particularly focusing on Charlotte, the state's largest city. The operation, which commenced over the weekend, aligns with continued enforcement actions associated with the administration's aggressive immigration policies.

This initiative, referred to as 'Operation Charlotte's Web', has been met with resistance and protests from local communities, as it raises fears among immigrants regarding their safety and legal status. The crackdown expanded to the Raleigh area on Tuesday, affecting suburbs with high immigrant populations.

Federal officials reported that those targeted included individuals residing in the U.S. without legal permission as well as those with criminal records. However, there have been few details released concerning the specific nature of the arrests or future operations, leaving many communities anxious about forthcoming enforcement actions.

The unsettling impact of the arrests is evident, with reports of diminished school attendance and decreased patronage at local businesses in immigrant neighborhoods. Activists have gathered outside businesses such as Home Depot to advocate for humane treatment of immigrant families and to protest federal agents' presence in their communities.

In addition, the effects of the crackdown have radiated beyond Charlotte, reaching areas like Cary where nearly 20 percent of the population is foreign-born, resulting in heightened unease and empty storefronts.

As the North Carolina operation continues, federal agents are also preparing for an extensive crackdown in New Orleans, slated to begin soon. This pattern of immigration enforcement reflects a persistent strategy impacted by both administrative policy and community response, suggesting ongoing tensions in the region.