Charlotte, North Carolina woke up to a jarring scene this weekend: federal agents swarming the city and armored vehicles rolling in.
Immigration raids unfolded in broad daylight.
It’s all part of President Donald Trump’s vow to launch “the largest deportation programme” in US history — and Charlotte is his latest target.
According to CBS, nearly 100 people were arrested on Saturday.
Local leaders say this move has sparked “unnecessary fear and uncertainty” across the community.
Mayor Vi Lyles and other officials condemned the operation, insisting Charlotte residents shouldn’t feel hunted in their own neighbourhoods.
The Department of Homeland Security, however, framed the mission — dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web” — very differently.
“We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
She insisted the focus is on “criminal illegal aliens.”
Raids Stir Turmoil
But on the ground? The atmosphere feels more like a movie set.
One church reported that volunteers doing yard work scattered into the woods when masked agents arrived and detained a man.
“We thought church was safe,” a 15-year-old told local reporters.
The raids come after DHS accused North Carolina of releasing 1,400 ICE detainees due to so-called sanctuary policies. Charlotte isn’t officially a sanctuary city.
And there’s more to come: New Orleans is reportedly next, as Trump’s crackdown rolls city to city.
Whether this brings “safety” or just more turmoil remains a question Charlotte is now grappling with.
