Charlotte Communities Reel as Federal Immigration Raids Spark Outcry
Residents of Charlotte, North Carolina, were left reeling this weekend after federal Customs and Border Protection agents descended upon the city, arresting at least 81 people in a sweeping operation that has brought normally bustling immigrant neighbourhoods to a standstill. The deployment, part of what the Department of Homeland Security calls Operation Charlotte's Web, triggered immediate and vocal protests from a concerned community.
Businesses Stand Still and Citizens Targeted
The human and economic impact of the raids was felt instantly. For the first time in 28 years, the popular Manolo's Bakery closed its doors for the weekend. David Rebolloso, a US citizen and military veteran who owns laundromats in east Charlotte, fought back tears during a phone interview, stating his business had dropped significantly. "I'm heartbroken, really," he said, expressing fear despite his citizenship. "I'm brown-skinned... should I be carrying my passport with me?"
Disturbing incidents were widely reported, including the arrest of a teenage worker at a Super G Mart grocery store, described by the owner as no older than 16. In another case, Willy Aceituno, a Honduran-born US citizen, recorded video of border patrol agents smashing his car window, pulling him from his truck, and handcuffing him as he shouted, "I am a citizen." He was later released.
Political Backlash and Community Mobilisation
The political response was swift and critical. Charlotte city council member-elect JD Mazuera Arias declared the city had gone "from a thriving city to a standstill." State representative Aisha Dew questioned the very presence of Border Patrol in a state without an international border, asking, "I'm not quite sure what border we're patrolling here."
Mecklenburg county sheriff Gary McFadden, who severed the county's contract with ICE after his election in 2018, confirmed his office would not assist federal agents. He acknowledged that while some communities welcome the action, others are "living in fear and anxiety." In response, community organisations like Siembra NC and the Carolina Migrant Network have ramped up efforts, running hotlines and conducting daily legal rights verification trainings for residents.
As the operation continues, the city of Charlotte finds itself at the heart of a national debate on immigration enforcement, with its diverse communities demonstrating resilience and solidarity in the face of unprecedented federal action.
