RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal immigration crackdown centered around North Carolina's largest city of Charlotte appeared to be over after less than a week as Border Patrol agents now turn their attention toward New Orleans, where the next big operation is expected.
Federal officials confirmed with Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation known as Operation Charlotte's Web was officially over following hundreds of arrests, the sheriff's office said Thursday.
No border agent operations will occur on Thursday, the sheriff's office said. A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection didn’t immediately respond to inquiries about the sheriff’s statement.
The operation that began last weekend was the most recent phase of Republican President Donald Trump's aggressive mass deportation efforts that have sent military and immigration agents into Democratic-run cities — from Chicago to Los Angeles.
In Charlotte, federal agents arrested over 250 people throughout the operation, which sparked protests and raised fears within immigrant communities. Local officials reported drops in school attendance and closures of shops and restaurants in affected neighborhoods, as residents avoided potential confrontations with federal agents.
Looking ahead, agents are set to begin Operation Swamp Sweep in New Orleans, with up to 250 federal troops expected to arrive as early as Friday for an operation that will intensify in December.
The crackdown has raised further scrutiny over sanctuary policies, which limit collaboration between local and federal authorities in immigration enforcement. Amid rising tensions, North Carolina's governor and local leaders have condemned the operations, emphasizing the impact on community safety and wellbeing.
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Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio.
