Federal immigration agents have launched a sweeping enforcement operation in North Carolina, targeting sanctuary policies and reigniting debate over states’ resistance to federal law.
Story Highlights
- Federal agents detained over 130 individuals in Charlotte during “Operation Charlotte’s Web” and have now expanded enforcement to Raleigh.
- Trump administration intensifies efforts against sanctuary cities, deploying hundreds of agents and prioritizing public safety.
- Local Raleigh authorities distance themselves from federal operations, promising not to participate in immigration enforcement activities.
- Homeland Security pledges increased action in cities resisting cooperation, citing the need to protect communities from criminal illegal aliens.
Federal Immigration Raids Intensify in North Carolina
On November 18, 2025, federal immigration agents continued a series of high-profile enforcement actions in North Carolina, following a weekend operation in Charlotte that resulted in the detention of more than 130 individuals.
Raleigh is now the latest city to see increased federal presence as the Trump administration doubles down on its commitment to enforce immigration law and hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable.
This move reflects President Trump’s promise to restore order and protect American citizens after years of lax enforcement and rising frustration among conservatives over unchecked illegal immigration and the erosion of national sovereignty.
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell confirmed that the federal action was not requested by local officials and reiterated that the Raleigh Police Department would not participate in immigration enforcement or planning.
In a public statement, Cowell emphasized that Raleigh’s police will focus on their regular duties, distancing the city from federal operations.
This divide between federal and local authorities underscores the ongoing tension between the Trump administration’s efforts to enforce federal law and local leaders’ reluctance to cooperate, especially in cities with sanctuary policies that have previously limited cooperation with federal immigration agents.
BREAKING: Federal immigration agents will expand enforcement action in North Carolina to Raleigh as soon as Tuesday, Mayor Janet Cowell says – AP
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 18, 2025
Trump Administration’s Broader Crackdown on Sanctuary Cities
Charlotte’s recent enforcement operation is part of a broader national wave targeting sanctuary cities—jurisdictions that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it is “surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed.”
Officials assert that too many Americans have become victims of criminal illegal aliens, and emphasize that the administration will not tolerate local political interference with federal law.
The DHS statement highlighted that President Trump and Secretary Noem are stepping up to protect citizens when local politicians refuse to prioritize public safety.
According to government sources, the federal agents are expected to remain in Charlotte through the end of the week, at which point about 200 agents will redeploy to New Orleans for a new operation.
This strategy exemplifies the Trump administration’s resolve to use all tools at its disposal—including increased personnel, expedited removal procedures, and the suspension of certain relief programs—to address illegal immigration, even as states and cities push back with sanctuary policies or public statements of non-cooperation.
Controversy Over Local Non-Cooperation and Community Safety
Mayor Cowell has stated that Raleigh remains committed to protecting all residents and following the law, insisting that the city is safe and that crime is down year-over-year.
However, the mayor’s emphasis on non-involvement in federal operations raises concerns among conservatives about the willingness of local leaders to uphold the rule of law and cooperate with federal agencies.
Conservative analysts argue that sanctuary policies undermine the Constitution, public safety, and the principle of equal justice.
The Trump administration, in turn, has pursued legislative and executive measures to restrict funding to sanctuary jurisdictions and expand federal authority to deputize local law enforcement when needed.
The ongoing federal operations highlight a fundamental clash between national immigration priorities and local resistance.
While city officials urge unity and calm, the administration’s actions send a clear message: sanctuary policies will not shield violators from federal law, and the federal government will step in when local officials refuse to act.
This renewed federal focus resonates with Americans concerned about border security, rising crime, and the broader erosion of constitutional order caused by years of left-leaning policies and local defiance of federal authority.
Looking ahead, federal authorities have signaled that these operations are just the beginning, with further deployments and enforcement actions planned for other jurisdictions resisting cooperation.
For conservative Americans, these developments represent a long-awaited correction to years of government overreach, underenforcement, and disregard for the rule of law.
The Trump administration’s aggressive approach is likely to remain a defining issue as debates over immigration, public safety, and constitutional governance continue to shape the national conversation.
