ICE Raids in Charlotte Lead to Protests, Arrests

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Charlotte, North Carolina, led to over 80 arrests over the weekend, including the arrest of a man at a church.

The Details: Some businesses and nightclubs closed, saying they made the decision to protect workers and customers from ICE agents. The Guardian (Left bias) highlighted a video taken and posted to social media by a US citizen that showed agents smashing his car window to pull him out through it. Newsweek (Center) reported that members of a church in Charlotte fled church grounds and hid in the woods as ICE agents “stormed the area,” arresting one congregant. 

For Context: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called the deployment of ICE agents in Charlotte “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” with assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin saying the city was unsafe due to unauthorized migrants and that “President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.” In January, DHS removed limitations that previously prevented ICE from raiding “protected areas” such as churches, schools, and hospitals. 

How the Media Covered It: The Guardian wrote that many communities were “reeling” after raids in the city and included quotes from business owners who closed or saw a loss of business due to the presence of ICE in the city. Newsweek noted that a pastor said the agents provided no identification and asked no questions before apprehending people. Fox News (Right) focused on the response of protestors in the city with the headline, “Protesters [sic] scream 'Get the f--- out of my city!' at federal agents during immigration raid.” Fox also wrote that the city is facing "intensifying scrutiny over violent crime."

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