By Joseph Lord and Aldgra Fredly
Federal immigration agents are already deployed to North Carolina’s capital city and could begin to conduct immigration enforcement operations there as soon as Tuesday, the city’s mayor said.
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell told the local outlet WRAL News that agents are “already in Raleigh and will be active tomorrow.”
“We don’t know how many law enforcement officers are here,” Cowell said. “We don’t know how long they’re going to stay.
“But, I mean, my sense is that they believe that there are … folks [who] are here [who] have committed crimes and are in the country illegally, and they will probably going to parts of town where they feel like they can intercept those individuals.”
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein stated on X that his office is aware of reports that Border Patrol agents have begun operations in Raleigh and urged federal agents not to target people based on skin color.
Stein called on Raleigh residents to remain peaceful and to document and report any instances of misconduct during the federal immigration enforcement operation.
“Once again, I call on federal agents to target violent criminals, not neighbors walking down the street, going to church, or putting up Christmas decorations,” he stated. “Stop targeting people simply going about their lives because of the color of their skin, as you are doing in Charlotte.”
A recent surge in immigration enforcement activities has already begun in Charlotte, the state’s other major population center.
More than 130 illegal immigrants were arrested as of last week, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Among those arrested were gang members and individuals with criminal records, including aggravated assault, assault on a police officer, battery, driving under the influence, and hit-and-run, DHS said on Nov. 17.
Stein has criticized the federal immigration crackdown in Charlotte as “stoking fear” and accused federal agents of racially profiling people at public places.
“In Charlotte, we’ve seen masked, heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars, targeting American citizens based on their skin color, racially profiling, and picking up random people in parking lots and off of our sidewalks,” he said. “This is not making us safer. It’s stoking fear and dividing our community.”
Mass protests took place in Charlotte following the arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, with videos showing chants of “Abolish ICE.”
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles stated on X that the constitutional rights and protections of all residents in Charlotte must be upheld, regardless of their immigration status.
“To everyone in Charlotte who is feeling anxious or fearful: you are not alone. Your city stands with you,” Lyles stated.
The mayor stated that local officials are working with community leaders to support those affected while also working “within complicated legal boundaries.”
In a Fox News interview aired on Nov. 17, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said that North Carolina officials should prioritize protecting residents, noting that the federal enforcement operations target criminal illegal immigrants.
“We are going after people who have committed robberies, assaults, and DUIs—getting them off the streets and keeping people safe. That is exactly what the leadership in the city should be partnering with us on, and what the governor should be as well,” Noem said.
