US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources said, Federal agents have arrived in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of President Donald Trump’s intensified efforts against illegal immigration.
On Saturday, it unveiled “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” indicating that it would focus on “criminal illegal aliens” in the city governed by Democrats.
The DHS has not disclosed the duration of the raids.
Local leaders, including Charlotte’s Mayor Li Vyles, issued a collective statement condemning the operation, asserting that it was instilling “unnecessary fear and uncertainty” within the community.
Since his return to office, Trump has sent troops to Washington DC, Los Angeles and Chicago to fulfill his commitment to implement “the largest deportation programme” in the history of the United States.
Armoured vehicles and specialized operations teams may participate in the crackdown in North Charlotte as indicated by internal government documents.
The Charlotte Observer reported that several church members engaged in yard work at a church in east Charlotte fled into the woods when agents arrived resulting in the detention of one man as reported by the church’s pastor.
A 15-year-old witness expressed to the newspaper, “We believed the church was a safe place and that nothing would occur.” Officials mentioned that “numerous organizations are prepared to assist individuals seeking legal advice on immigration issues.”
The DHS explained that the operation is being conducted because North Carolina has not complied with the nearly 1,400 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees who were released due to “sanctuary policies.”
According to Data US, Charlotte is an ethnically diverse city with approximately 17% of its residents being foreign-born.
Chicago’s crackdown, which commenced in September, is still in progress. Earlier this week, US Representative and Democrat Alma Adams expressed her “extreme concern” regarding the presence of Border Patrol and ICE agents in North Carolina, having been informed about the operation.