RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal agents have now arrested more than 250 people during a North Carolina immigration crackdown centered around Charlotte, the state’s largest city, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday.
The operation that began over the weekend is part of Republican President Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation efforts, which involve targeting Democratic-run cities across the country.
The crackdown has spread to surrounding areas around Raleigh, generating fear among immigrants and disrupting daily life. Reflecting the tense atmosphere, protests have erupted in response to the rise in arrests, with rallies such as the one outside Home Depot, where demonstrators displayed messages calling for an end to ICE operations.
With the number of arrests nearly double that first reported, the authorities have not disclosed specific details about the individuals detained. Many of those targeted are believed to be undocumented immigrants or individuals with criminal records.
The crackdown has led to a chilling effect in immigrant neighborhoods—school attendance has declined, and many local businesses have seen a drop in customers, as families become wary of potential run-ins with federal agents.
As the operation progresses, Border Patrol agents are also preparing to launch a significant crackdown in New Orleans, further underscoring the national scope of these enforcement efforts under the Trump administration.
