Federal Immigration Raids in Charlotte Lead to 81 Arrests, Spark Outrage and Protests

Federal agents arrested at least 81 people in Charlotte, North Carolina, over the weekend, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s nationwide deportation campaign. Gregory Bovino, a senior U.S. Border Patrol commander known for leading previous crackdowns in Los Angeles and Chicago, said the arrests were made within a five-hour span on Saturday, the team’s first day operating in the city. He stated that many of those detained had “significant criminal and immigration history,” though federal agencies did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

The aggressive enforcement actions triggered large protests across Charlotte and other cities in the state, with citizens confronting agents over what advocacy groups describe as unconstitutional detentions. Critics argue that the raids have swept up law-abiding residents, including U.S. citizens, and have fueled fear in communities already wary of federal immigration operations. Demonstrators took to the streets in Raleigh and Charlotte, demanding transparency and condemning the tactics used by agents.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein sharply criticized the operations in a video released Sunday night, saying federal agents were undermining community safety instead of protecting it. Stein accused officers of racial profiling, detaining people arbitrarily, and even entering churches and stores to make arrests. He cited incidents such as agents targeting landscapers working on Christmas decorations as examples of overreach. Meanwhile, DHS officials defended the raids, saying they were prompted by the refusal of local authorities to comply with nearly 1,400 immigration detainer requests.

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