More than 250 people have been arrested in an immigration sweep centered on Charlotte that has spread toward Raleigh under the operation called “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” Federal officials say they are targeting people without legal permission to be in the U.S. and those with alleged criminal records, but have offered few specifics. The enforcement action has depressed school attendance and local business activity and prompted protests; similar operations are being planned for New Orleans.
Over 250 Arrested in ‘Operation Charlotte’s Web’ as Immigration Sweep Expands Across North Carolina
More than 250 people have been arrested in an immigration sweep centered on Charlotte that has spread toward Raleigh under the operation called “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” Federal officials say they are targeting people without legal permission to be in the U.S. and those with alleged criminal records, but have offered few specifics. The enforcement action has depressed school attendance and local business activity and prompted protests; similar operations are being planned for New Orleans.
07:34 PM, 11/19/2025Politics
Federal agents have arrested more than 250 people in an immigration enforcement operation centered on Charlotte that has since expanded toward the Raleigh area, officials said. The multi-day action, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” has unsettled immigrant communities and triggered local protests.
Authorities say the operation targets people living in the U.S. without legal authorization as well as those with alleged criminal records. Federal officials have released few specifics about the individuals arrested or the full geographic scope of the enforcement actions, leaving residents unsure where agents might appear next.
The enforcement surge quickly had tangible effects on daily life in affected neighborhoods. School attendance fell in some districts, and small businesses and restaurants temporarily closed to avoid potential encounters with agents. In Cary, a Raleigh suburb where roughly 20 percent of residents were born abroad, shops and restaurants reported lighter traffic and quieter parking lots.
The operation drew public resistance in Charlotte. About 100 people gathered outside a Home Depot where federal agents had been seen repeatedly since the sweep began. Protesters briefly moved inside the store carrying orange-and-white signs reading, “ICE out of Home Depot — Protect our communities.”
Documents and sources indicate the enforcement activity in North Carolina is part of a broader campaign. Border Patrol agents were expected to arrive in New Orleans to prepare for a two-month operation in southeast Louisiana scheduled to intensify on Dec. 1, with roughly 250 agents planned to deploy for that effort.
Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander selected to lead the planned Louisiana operation, led the North Carolina activities this week. Bovino has overseen several large-scale enforcement efforts and has faced criticism over arrest tactics.
“For the safety and security of law enforcement, we’re not going to telegraph potential operations,” said DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, declining to disclose further details about the campaign.
The lack of detailed information from federal authorities, combined with the visible presence of agents, has left many residents — including families and local business owners — anxious and uncertain about their communities’ near-term safety and stability.
Reporting: Erik Verduzco and John Seewer.