In a significant escalation of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, U.S. Border Patrol agents have detained more than 250 individuals in Charlotte, North Carolina, since Saturday. This operation, dubbed ‘Operation Charlotte’s Web’ by federal authorities, targets undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal backgrounds or gang affiliations. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emphasized that the arrests include individuals convicted of serious offenses such as assault on law enforcement, theft, and document tampering. However, the crackdown has sparked widespread criticism from local leaders and residents. North Carolina’s Democratic Governor Josh Stein accused federal agents of racial profiling, citing instances of heavily armed officers targeting individuals based on skin color. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles echoed these concerns, urging federal agents to respect the city’s values while commending protesters who rallied against the administration’s actions. The operation’s duration remains unclear, with similar measures in cities like Chicago still ongoing. As fear spreads among Charlotte’s immigrant community, reports suggest the crackdown may extend to Raleigh, prompting renewed calls for a focus on violent criminals rather than ordinary residents.
