Story perspectives

Operation Charlotte's Web Sparks Fear in Immigrant Communities

11/17/2025

Summary

Mayor Denounces Immigration Raids

On November 15, 2025, federal immigration enforcement intensified in Charlotte with widespread arrests at churches and community spaces.
Witnesses described masked agents detaining people, fueling fear in immigrant communities.
Mayor Vi Lyles (Mayor of Charlotte) and local officials condemned the operation as causing unnecessary fear.
The Department of Homeland Security said the crackdown was necessary for public safety, citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers, and named Operation Charlotte's Web.

History

Historical Context

Operation Wetback, initiated in June 1954 under President Eisenhower, aimed to deport undocumented Mexican nationals, resulting in over 250,000 removals in its first year. This operation followed the Bracero Program, which had allowed legal Mexican laborers into the U.S. but faced increasing illegal immigration. The legacy of such mass deportations continues to impact immigrant trust in law enforcement today.

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Mayor Denounces Immigration Raids

On November 15, 2025, federal immigration enforcement intensified in Charlotte with widespread arrests at churches and community spaces.
Witnesses described masked agents detaining people, fueling fear in immigrant communities.
Mayor Vi Lyles (Mayor of Charlotte) and local officials condemned the operation as causing unnecessary fear.
The Department of Homeland Security said the crackdown was necessary for public safety, citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers, and named Operation Charlotte's Web.

1 / 2