The next round of tough immigration raids will be held in North Carolina.

Federal authorities plan to deploy U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to Charlotte this weekend or early next week, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Harry McFadden said. Associated Press.

Sheriff McFadden reported that two federal officials confirmed these plans to him. His office did not disclose the names of these officials. McFadden said the details of the operation are unknown and his department was not asked to assist in the operation.

Homeland Security Deputy Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department enforces laws nationwide on a daily basis and does not discuss future or potential operations.

President Donald Trump has defended sending military and immigration agents to Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and even Washington, arguing that the unprecedented operations are necessary to combat crime and carry out his mass deportation plan.

On the subject: Murder of Ukrainian woman in Charlotte: Trump and Musk blame Democrats and their soft attitude towards criminals

Charlotte is another such Democratic stronghold. Several local and regional officials say the city is home to more than 150,000 foreign-born residents. The city's population is approximately 40% white, 33% Black, 16% Hispanic, and 7% Asian.

The Trump administration is using the murder of Ukrainian refugee Irina Zarutskaya on a Charlotte subway train this summer as evidence that Democratic-led cities are failing to protect residents from violence. A man with a criminal record has been charged with the murder.

Activists, religious leaders, and local officials say they have already begun preparing the immigrant community for reprisals, providing information about available resources and trying to reassure people. On Wednesday, about 500 people participated in an online meeting organized by the group CharlotteEAST.

The goal of the online meeting was to create a mutual aid network, said City Councilman-elect J.D. Mazuera Arias. CharlotteEAST Executive Director Greg Asciutto encouraged residents to connect with organizations providing support.

Charlotte-Mecklenberg County police clarified that they do not have the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and are not involved in planning or executing such operations.

Mazuera Arias and others said they had already begun receiving unconfirmed reports of people in civilian clothes, resembling federal agents, in residential areas and on public transportation.

"This is part of the chaos we saw in Chicago," State Sen. Caleb Tewodros, who represents Charlotte and Mecklenberg County, said on November 13.

Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol chief who led the recent operation in Chicago and played a key role in the Los Angeles operation, was evasive when asked which city would be next.

The Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz began in the Chicago area in early September, despite protests from local authorities. Initially, immigration officers conducted arrests in the suburbs, but the operation was later expanded to include hundreds of Customs and Border Protection agents.

Their tactics became increasingly harsh. More than 3200 people suspected of violating immigration laws were arrested in the region.

The Department of Homeland Security, which includes both immigration agencies, has released few details about these arrests, except for a few cases in which undocumented immigrants with criminal records were detained.

On November 14, Indivisible Charlotte and the Carolina Migrant Network will conduct volunteer training on human rights awareness when interacting with immigration authorities and recognizing federal agents.

They don't always wear vests with the word "ICE" written on them, said Tony Siracusa, a spokesman for Indivisible Charlotte.

The groups will also discuss possible protests, but he stressed that activists are urging people not to risk arrest.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

According to Syracuse, local residents are not panicking, but are seriously concerned about what is happening.

Daniela Andrade, communications director for the Carolina Migrant Network, noted that organizers canceled this year's Latino Heritage Festival due to concerns about immigration raids. The group had been holding in-person classes on immigrant rights since the beginning of the year, but switched to an online format before news of the possible raid.

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