Federal agents have arrested more than 250 individuals in a sweeping immigration enforcement operation across North Carolina, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, 19th November 2025.
The crackdown, which is a key part of Republican President Donald Trump's aggressive mass deportation strategy, has primarily targeted the Charlotte metropolitan area, the state's most populous city.
Operation Scope and National Context
The operation, officially named "Operation Charlotte's Web," began over the weekend and represents the latest phase of a national push into Democratic-run cities. This initiative has previously seen deployments in locations such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon.
By Tuesday, the enforcement activities had expanded to include areas around the state capital, Raleigh. The number of arrests, now exceeding 250, is roughly double the figure announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) earlier in the week.
In a statement, the DHS emphasised that agencies are focusing on "some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens," targeting individuals residing in the US without legal permission and those with alleged criminal records.
Community Impact and Growing Fear
The crackdown has sent ripples of fear through immigrant communities. In Charlotte, a noticeable chilling effect has taken hold: school attendance has dropped, and many small businesses and restaurants have closed their doors to avoid potential confrontations between customers and federal agents.
This anxiety spread to Cary, a suburb of Raleigh where nearly 20% of the population is foreign-born. On Tuesday, a local shopping centre known for its family-run ethnic restaurants was described as having little traffic, with an Indian grocery store standing mostly empty.
Protests have emerged in response. Approximately 100 people gathered outside a Home Depot in Charlotte where agents had been spotted. Demonstrators, some carrying signs reading "ICE out of Home Depot, Protect our communities," briefly entered the store.
Next Steps and Leadership
Federal officials have been tight-lipped, offering few details about those detained or the future scope of operations in North Carolina, keeping communities on edge.
Meanwhile, documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal that the operation is set to move south. Around 250 federal border agents are expected to descend on New Orleans to prepare for a two-month crackdown in southeast Louisiana, scheduled to begin in earnest on 1st December.
Leading both the North Carolina and upcoming Louisiana operations is Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who has become the Trump administration's point person for these large-scale enforcement actions. His tactics have drawn criticism, though DHS has declined to comment, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stating, "For the safety and security of law enforcement, we’re not going to telegraph potential operations."
