RALEIGH, N.C. — Immigrant advocates in North Carolina say they have received “credible reports” suggesting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to deploy additional agents to the Raleigh area for a monthlong operation beginning December 1. The warning comes from Siembra NC, a grassroots immigrant-rights group that says it has fielded multiple tips and noticed signs of renewed federal activity following a recent Border Patrol crackdown.
Siembra NC co-director Nikki Marín Baena said Sunday that reports point to roughly 50 additional ICE agents arriving in the state and that ICE may have reserved charter flights between Charlotte and Jacksonville, Florida, similar to those used last week. NC Newsline has not independently verified the information.
Marín Baena said increased arrests this year have prevented many residents from traveling safely to school and work, prompting the group to launch Ojo Obrero, a tool tracking federal enforcement activity. Some naturalized U.S. citizens and green-card holders are now carrying passports for routine errands due to fear of being stopped.
She attributed the expected operation partly to comments from North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall, who recently praised federal immigration enforcement and urged agents to “come back.” Siembra NC is encouraging affected residents to contact Hall’s top campaign contributors and to use “Destin Hall Pass” forms when missing work due to shelter-in-place concerns.
The recent five-day Border Patrol operation in North Carolina led to 370 arrests, though advocates say many of those detained may be U.S. citizens or lawful residents and that numerous cases could be dismissed.
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Sources:
• News From the States – MBFC Rating
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