Overview
- CBP and ICE began arrests in Charlotte on November 15, with witnesses reporting detentions at an east Charlotte church and in a Walmart parking lot.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and county officials said they are not participating and warned the federal action is creating fear and uncertainty.
- DHS has not disclosed how many agents were deployed or how many people were detained, and the operation was not announced beforehand.
- Hundreds protested in downtown Charlotte calling for Border Patrol and ICE to leave the city, and some businesses in affected areas closed for the day.
- Earlier federal sweeps in Chicago faced court scrutiny, with a judge ordering bond for hundreds of detainees after government data showed about 2.6% had criminal records.