Federal Immigration Crackdown Reaches Charlotte as DHS Launches “Operation Charlotte’s Web”

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  Newsroom

• November 16, 2025

• Newsroom

Federal Immigration Crackdown Reaches Charlotte as DHS Launches “Operation Charlotte’s Web”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that federal agents have been deployed to Charlotte as part of President Donald Trump’s expanded nationwide effort to combat illegal immigration. The initiative, formally introduced as “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” was announced on Saturday and targets what DHS describes as “criminal unlawful immigrants” residing in the Democratic-led city.

“We are mobilizing DHS law-enforcement personnel in Charlotte to ensure public safety and remove threats to our communities,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement outlining the goals of the operation.

Since returning to office, President Trump has ordered major enforcement actions in several large U.S. cities—including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago—in pursuit of what he has repeatedly called “the largest deportation program in American history.”

Reports of Heavy Federal Presence

Internal government documents reviewed by CBS News suggest that armored vehicles and specialized tactical teams may be among the units operating in North Charlotte. Local accounts describe scenes of confusion and fear as the operation unfolded.

Inside one church, women and children reportedly cried as they searched for relatives who may have been detained.
“We thought the church was safe. We didn’t think anything like this could happen here,” a 15-year-old witness told the Charlotte Observer.

Local businesses have also reported distress among families. “A lot of children have lost their parents since the raids began,” said bakery owner Manolo Betancur in an interview with NBC News.

Context: North Carolina and Immigration Policy

DHS officials justified the operation by saying that North Carolina has failed to transfer nearly 1,400 individuals requested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), attributing the releases to what they call “sanctuary-style policies.”

Charlotte is not officially a sanctuary city. However, it is designated as a Certified Welcoming City, a national recognition for municipalities committed to immigrant inclusion and integration.
“President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem will step in to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians refuse to act,” DHS said in its statement.

The city is home to a diverse population, with approximately 17% of residents born outside the United States, according to Data USA.

Local Leaders Condemn the Operation

City officials, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, issued a joint statement criticizing the federal action, saying it has generated “unnecessary fear and uncertainty” among residents.

Community advocates and faith groups reported chaotic scenes, including an incident in which church volunteers doing yard work in East Charlotte fled into the woods when Border Patrol agents arrived and began detaining individuals without identifying themselves, according to The Charlotte Observer.

Earlier this week, U.S. Representative Alma Adams said she had been notified of the impending operation and expressed “deep concern” about the deployment of Border Patrol and ICE agents to North Carolina.

Operation Timeline and Expansion

DHS has not disclosed how long the enforcement action will continue. Chicago’s operation, launched in September, remains active.
According to CBS News, the next city expected to face heightened enforcement is New Orleans, where up to 200 federal agents could soon be deployed.

Federal operations in previous cities have drawn scrutiny over the alleged excessive use of force, with civil rights groups warning of long-term impacts on immigrant communities.