Federal immigration officers have launched a sweeping operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, sparking fear and condemnation from local residents and officials. The raids, which began on Saturday, have seen masked agents targeting individuals across the city, including church parishioners and workers.
Targeting a Place of Worship
Among the most alarming incidents reported was a raid on a church in east Charlotte. According to local media, about 15 to 20 congregants were performing yard work on the property when federal agents arrived. The pastor, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the agents asked no questions and showed no identification before arresting one man.
The man's wife and child were inside the church at the time of his arrest. The pastor described a climate of terror, saying, "Right now, everybody is scared. Everybody." He further alleged that an agent pushed another individual from the church and threatened to arrest him.
Community Reactions and Official Statements
The actions have drawn sharp criticism from local leaders. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement saying the raids "are causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty" and reaffirmed that the city stands with all its residents.
In a stark defence of the operation, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant homeland security secretary, told the Associated Press that agents were being surged to Charlotte "to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed." She added that Americans should not have to live in fear of "violent criminal illegal aliens."
However, this justification was challenged by local accounts. In one encounter, two workers hanging Christmas lights were approached by Customs and Border Protection agents. The homeowner, 73-year-old Rheba Hamilton, recorded the incident and said the agents left without making arrests. "This is real disconcerting, but the main thing is we've got two human beings in my yard trying to make a living. They've broken no laws," Hamilton stated.
US Citizens Caught in the Sweep
The operations also ensnared American citizens. Willy Aceituno, a 46-year-old Honduran-born US citizen, reported being stopped twice by agents. During the second stop, he claimed agents forced him from his vehicle after breaking a window. "I told them: 'I'm an American citizen,'" Aceituno said. He was only released after showing documents proving his citizenship.
City council member JD Mazuera Arias expressed outrage, questioning the very presence of border patrol in a non-border state. "This is a gross violation of constitutional rights for not only immigrants but for US citizens," he asserted.
The political divide was clear in the responses. The Mecklenburg county Republican party chair, Kyle Kirby, supported the actions, stating that individuals in the country legally have nothing to fear and that President Trump had a mandate to secure borders. Conversely, Democratic governor Josh Stein noted that most people detained in such sweeps have no criminal convictions.
The church targeted in the raid has suspended its services until congregants feel safe to gather again. As 15-year-old Miguel Vazquez poignantly told the Charlotte Observer, "We thought church was safe and nothing gonna happen. But it did happen."
