Federal immigration enforcement expected in Raleigh; Charlotte operation continues
Federal immigration authorities are expected to expand enforcement activities to Raleigh as soon as Tuesday, the capital city's mayor said, while U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents remain active in Charlotte after a weekend that resulted in more than 130 arrests in that city.
Mayor Janet Cowell said Monday she did not know the size of the planned operation or how long agents would remain in Raleigh. Immigration officials have not publicly confirmed the move. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CBS News: "Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country. We do not discuss future or potential operations."
Raleigh officials urge calm
Cowell, a Democrat, noted that crime in Raleigh has fallen this year compared with last and stressed that public safety is a priority for her and the city council. "I ask Raleigh to remember our values and maintain peace and respect through any upcoming challenges," she said. She added that the Raleigh Police Department is not participating in immigration planning and emphasized the department's commitment to protecting residents while following the law.
State leaders and local reaction
Gov. Josh Stein said Monday night his office "is aware of reports that the Border Patrol is bringing its operation to Raleigh" and urged federal agents to target violent criminals rather than people going about ordinary activities. He also encouraged residents to remain peaceful and to report concerns to local law enforcement.
Charlotte's enforcement operation has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said she was "deeply concerned" about videos she had seen of heavily armed agents and thanked protesters for remaining peaceful. Gov. Stein said the tactics used in Charlotte — including masked, heavily armed agents in unmarked cars — are "stoking fear and dividing our community."
What happened in Charlotte?
Border Patrol officials said they arrested "over 130 illegal aliens who have all broken" immigration laws in Charlotte, and listed alleged offenses including gang affiliation, aggravated assault, shoplifting and other crimes. The agency did not detail how many arrests led to convictions or formal charges.
The operation also disrupted daily life: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported that approximately 20,935 students — about 15% of the district's enrollment — were absent on Monday, though the district did not provide a typical baseline for comparison.
Broader context: detainers and politics
The enforcement actions highlight long-running tensions in North Carolina over immigration policy and the use of federal "detainers" — requests that local jails hold people so federal agents can take custody of them. DHS says roughly 1,400 detainers across the state have not been honored since October 2020. Local leaders have differed over cooperation with ICE, and recent state legislation has tightened rules, sparking political disputes between the state legislature, county sheriffs and urban officials.
Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden previously resisted mandatory detainer rules and more recently said he seeks coordination with federal officials so enforcement is "safe, responsible, and with proper notification." Supporters of the federal operations say agents are filling gaps left by past local noncooperation, while critics argue the tactics unfairly target communities of color and harm community trust in law enforcement.
Key point: The situation remains fluid. Federal agencies have not detailed planned operations in Raleigh, and local leaders are urging residents to remain calm while monitoring developments.
