Members of a church in east Charlotte, North Carolina, ran into nearby woods on Saturday after masked federal agents arrived and detained one congregant amid an ongoing immigration crackdown in the city, according to a report from The Charlotte Observer.
“We thought church was safe and nothing [was] gonna happen,” a 15-year-old witness told the newspaper. “But it did happen.”
Why It Matters
The enforcement actions that began on Saturday are the latest in a series of operations focused on Democrat-led cities and have prompted protests and criticism from local leaders. The administration has defended the Charlotte operation, as well as similar efforts in Los Angeles and Chicago, as necessary to combat crime and enforce immigration laws, while accusing local officials of refusing to hold individuals sought by federal authorities.
What To Know
Witnesses told The Charlotte Observer that roughly 15 to 20 congregants were doing yard work at the church off Albemarle Road in east Charlotte when masked immigration agents descended on the property. A pastor, who requested anonymity, said the officers did not identify themselves or ask questions before detaining one man and trying to apprehend others.
“I thought, ‘Wait, why am I running? I’m a citizen,’” said Miguel Vazquez, one of the individuals who fled into the nearby woods.
Additional reports of arrests and detentions—including of U.S. citizens—have emerged in connection with the enforcement activity in Charlotte.
On Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it would be “surging resources” for the operation, dubbed “Charlotte’s Web,” to focus on what it described as “criminal aliens” who had “flocked to the Tar Heel State because they knew sanctuary politicians would protect them.” DHS said Charlotte had failed to honor nearly 1,400 ICE detainers, which are requests to hold a person in custody after their criminal release so immigration agents can take them into custody.
Elected officials from Mecklenburg County, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, issued a joint statement on Saturday ahead of the operation, warning that the plans were “causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community.”
What People Are Saying
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement: “Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors. We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens. President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
North Carolina Representative Alma Adams, a Democrat, voiced her concerns on X: “I am extremely concerned about the deployment of U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents to Charlotte. Charlotte’s immigrant community is a proud part of the Queen City, and I will not stand by and watch my constituents be intimidated and harassed.”
Mayor Vi Lyles, in a joint statement with the chairs of Mecklenburg County’s Board of Commissioners and Board of Education, said: “Our organizations believe that our diversity makes us stronger. And with that belief we are unwavering in our commitment to a safe and welcoming community where everyone can grow and thrive. It is critical for all residents to feel secure in our community and know they can live their lives without being fearful while walking down the street, going to school, work or the grocery store.”
What Happens Next
Vazquez told The Charlotte Observer that the church plans to suspend services until congregants feel safe gathering again without fear of similar raids.
DHS has not said how long the operation in Charlotte will continue. Comparable actions in Los Angeles lasted several days, while the deployment of federal forces in and around Chicago, which began in September, is still underway.
