Immigration Crackdown in Charlotte Ends, DHS Says otherwise

An immigration crackdown in Charlotte, North Carolina, appears to have ended, local officials said, following days of immigration sweeps by border agents that sparked protests and shuttered businesses.

In a statement on Nov. 20,the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said federal officials confirmed the operation,dubbed “Charlotte’s Web,” had officially ended.

“As a result, there will be no (U.S. Customs and Border protection) operations in Charlotte on Thursday,” the agency said in a statement.

Charlotte’s Democratic Mayor Vi Lyles said on X it “appears” border agents stopped operating in North Carolina’s largest city, adding, “I’m relieved for our community and the residents, businesses, and all those who were targeted and impacted by this intrusion.”

The Department of Homeland Security, however, said otherwise.

“The operation is not over and it is not ending anytime soon,” said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, in an email to USA TODAY.