Dozens arrested in Charlotte ICE raids Saturday

Federal immigration officials detained 81 people in neighborhoods across Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, marking potentially the largest single-day immigration sweep recorded in state history.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” drew immediate criticism from local officials, advocacy groups, and immigrant communities, who fear rising anxiety, business disruption, and a chilling effect on the city’s social fabric.

Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security by email outside of normal business hours on Sunday evening for comment.

Why It Matters

The arrests marked the beginning of a federal crackdown that has intensified tensions in Charlotte, a rapidly growing city shaped by international migration, and the next target in President Donald Trump’s federal enforcement operations.

The administration has already gone after other Democrat-run cities, citing high crime and homicide rates as the justification for bringing in Immigration and Customs (ICE) agents and, at times, the National Guard as necessary to clamp down on crime and enforce immigration law.

The focus on immigrant neighborhoods, churches, and businesses has raised concerns about civil rights and the scope of federal enforcement beyond designated border zones, especially as local and state leaders voiced opposition to the operation.

What To Know

Federal border patrol agents on Saturday launched coordinated raids in Charlotte, targeting immigrant neighborhoods, during which authorities arrested 81 people, believed to be the largest in state history.

The raids caused widespread alarm among the city’s immigrant population, prompting many businesses—such as a major flea markets, nightclubs catering to the Hispanic community, and grocery stores—to close their doors.

Some Catholic churches reported historically low attendance, amid social media reports of federal agents monitoring parking lots, according to The New York Times.

The raids also prompted protests across the city following the arrests. Witnesses described residents and bystanders being arrested at supermarkets and other public places. Charlotte businesses remained quiet through the weekend, as many employees chose not to report to work out of fear, the Charlotte Observer reported.

Gregory Bovino, the leader of the operation, called the mission a success and used social media to publicize the arrests of individuals with criminal backgrounds, though federal authorities did not provide a full accounting of the criminal histories among those detained.

A DHS news release identified seven people with prior criminal charges, while advocacy groups noted that those arrested included workers, a man performing church cleanup, and even a Hispanic U.S. citizen whose car was damaged during an encounter with agents.

The raids extended into Sunday, with continued arrests and heightened anxiety in immigrant communities. Border Patrol agents returned to previously targeted businesses and residential neighborhoods, while some activists and citizens focused on carefully documenting law enforcement activities.

What People Are Saying

Gregory Bovino, U.S. Customs and Border Protection commander-at-large, on X, in part: “We will not allow criminal illegal aliens to take over American communities. We will continue to track down illegal aliens in Los Angeles, Chicago, or any other city we choose. That is the way THIS team operates.”

Matt Mercer, spokesman for the North Carolina Republican Party, in a statement to The New York Times: “Federal law enforcement is fulfilling President Trump’s promise to remove violent criminal illegals from our streets. The only ‘shameful’ thing is the fearmongering from radical activists who want our communities less safe.”

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein in a statement to ABC News: “We should all focus on arresting violent criminals and drug traffickers. Unfortunately, that’s not always what we’ve seen with ICE and Border Patrol Agents in Chicago and elsewhere in the country.”

What Happens Next

The Department of Homeland Security has not provided a timeline for the duration of “Operation Charlotte’s Web” or the location of detainees. Community leaders in Charlotte, as well as in other North Carolina cities like Asheville, have signaled readiness to respond should the operation expand.