Charlotte Prepares for Federal Immigration Enforcement Amid Community Concerns

Sat Nov 15 2025 00:07:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Local officials and residents of Charlotte, North Carolina are rallying against a federal immigration enforcement operation they describe as an 'invasion' by the Trump administration, with calls for peaceful protests and documentation of the agents’ actions.

As federal immigration enforcement operations are set to commence in Charlotte, officials and community leaders express concern over the implications for local residents, especially immigrants. Calls for peaceful protests and recording agents' activities from a safe distance have emerged, highlighting a strong stance against what they characterize as a 'racist campaign of terror' by the federal government. Local organizations are preparing volunteers to document these actions while emphasizing the protection of immigrants' rights.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Amid rising tensions in North Carolina’s largest city, community leaders and officials are voicing their opposition to a federal immigration enforcement operation, described by some as an 'invasion'. This movement has prompted calls for local residents to engage in peaceful protests and to document any actions taken by law enforcement from a distance.

'We are living in the strangest of times,' stated Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, addressing the gathering of concerned citizens. 'A time when a felonious reality TV personality is occupying the White House... unfortunately, we have seen this movie before.'

The gatherings follow confirmations from Sheriff Garry McFadden, who reported that agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin enforcement actions as soon as this week. The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly commented on specific operations planned in the city.

'We’ve seen what has taken place in other cities across this country when the federal government gets involved,' remarked state Rep. Jordan Lopez, citing examples of violent enforcement practices in other Democratic-led areas.

Despite receiving no formal notice from the Trump administration, local organizations are mobilizing resources to train volunteers on how to protest and document any enforcement actions, with an emphasis on informing immigrants of their rights.

'This is an invasion, and a racist campaign of terror by the Trump administration,' declared Héctor Vaca, training and immigrant justice director for Action NC.

Trump has defended operations in cities like Charlotte, claiming they are necessary to combat crime and carry out his immigration agenda. However, local officials have stated that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department does not have the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and is not involved in the planning of these operations.

Incoming council member JD Mazuera Arias, a Colombian immigrant and naturalized citizen, shared his personal experiences, pledging that local resources will not be used for immigration enforcement and criticizing the narrative that equates safety with such operations.

'Our Queen City will not become a staging ground for fear,' he stated emphatically. 'We will not confuse cruelty with safety.'

The community is being urged to support immigrant-owned businesses and take collective action to maintain the city's welcoming ethos. 'This is about the color of someone's skin, about where they come from,' declared Cameron Pruette, urging unity and action against fear and division.