Federal immigration officers launched a significant sweep through Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, last Saturday, raising concern among residents and local officials.

Reports indicate that masked federal agents targeted various locations, including a church in East Charlotte, where an arrest occurred while approximately 15 to 20 church members were engaged in yard work.

The church pastor, who chose to remain anonymous, told News that agents reportedly failed to identify themselves or ask questions before detaining a member. His wife and child were present inside the church at the time.

“Right now, everybody is scared. Everybody,” he noted. “One of the immigration officers threatened to arrest another person in the church, physically pushing him.”

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of homeland security, stated that the surge of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel aims to “ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed.”

“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens harming them, their families, or their neighbors,” McLaughlin added.

Local officials, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, criticized the federal actions, asserting in a statement that they “create unnecessary fear and uncertainty.”

“We want people in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to know we stand with all residents who simply want to go about their lives,” the statement emphasized.

In another incident, two workers were hanging Christmas lights in a front yard when they were approached by Customs and Border Protection agents. One agent attempted to communicate with them in Spanish, but they did not engage, leading the agents to leave without making arrests.

Rheba Hamilton, the homeowner, expressed her concern: “This is really disconcerting. The main thing is we have two people in my yard trying to make a living. They’ve broken no laws, and that’s what worries me.”

Hamilton recorded the interaction, noting that the agents were “looking for easy targets, encountering just two guys working and an old lady drinking coffee on her porch.”

Willy Aceituno, a 46-year-old U.S. citizen originally from Honduras, recounted seeing numerous Latino individuals running as “a lot of border patrol agents” chased them. He was stopped twice by agents and forcibly removed from his car during the second encounter, which led to a broken window. Aceituno affirmed, “I told them: ‘I’m an American citizen.’” After presenting his citizenship documents, he was released.

Rumors of the impending federal sweep circulated after county sheriff Garry McFadden disclosed that two federal officials had informed him of the customs agents’ arrival. Paola Garcia, from a bilingual nonprofit organization serving families in Charlotte, reported increased traffic stops since the previous Friday.

“Basically, we’re witnessing a surge in pulls over,” Garcia stated.

Local businesses, including a popular Latin American bakery, preemptively closed ahead of the raids, according to city council member JD Mazuera Arias. He questioned, “This is Customs and Border Patrol. We are not a border city, nor a border state. So why are they here? This grossly violates the constitutional rights of immigrants and U.S. citizens.”

Democratic Governor Josh Stein highlighted that most individuals detained during similar operations have no criminal records, and some are U.S. citizens. He urged residents to document any “inappropriate behavior” by federal agents and report it to local authorities.

In response to local officials’ criticisms, Mecklenburg County Republican Party Chair Kyle Kirby contended that Democratic leaders “have abandoned their duty to uphold law and order” and are “demonizing the brave men and women of federal law enforcement.”

“Let us be clear: President Trump was given a mandate in the 2024 election to secure our borders. Individuals who are in this country legally have nothing to fear,” Kirby declared.

This operation in Charlotte follows a similar pattern of immigration enforcement actions across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, and New York City.

The church involved in the Saturday raid announced it would suspend services and yard work until congregants felt safe enough to gather again, according to 15-year-old Miguel Vazquez.

“We thought church was safe, and nothing was going to happen,” Vazquez said. “But it did happen.”