The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Saturday that federal immigration enforcement operations are officially underway in Charlotte, following days of speculation and political back-and-forth among state and local officials in North Carolina.

The operation, now formally titled “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” marks the latest expansion of nationwide efforts to locate and apprehend criminal illegal aliens, according to DHS.

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Earlier in the week, state and local Democrats began circulating warnings after learning that DHS was preparing an operation in Charlotte.

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The heightened concern followed recent enforcement activity in Chicago, where federal teams conducted wide-scale arrests of criminal illegal aliens.

Several Charlotte city council members and the Mecklenburg County sheriff expressed opposition, but comments from Rep. Alma Adams and North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein drew particular attention from federal officials.

Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino publicly responded to Adams and Stein on X, saying they were conflating lawful immigrants with individuals in the country illegally.

“Immigrants rest assured, we have your back like we did in Chicago and Los Angeles,” Bovino wrote.

“Rep. Adams, perhaps you & Gov. STEIN should learn the difference between an illegal alien & an immigrant. Illegal aliens have NO PLACE in our communities and should self deport via CBP Home.”

DHS made the operation official Saturday night with a press release outlining plans to surge enforcement personnel into Charlotte.

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The department included examples of criminal illegal aliens they are seeking in the area as part of the operation.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement, reported by Queen City News’ Andy Weber, highlighting the mission’s focus on public safety.

“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors. We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens. President Trump and Secretary Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”

Videos circulating on social media Saturday showed long lines of Border Patrol vehicles entering Charlotte, signaling the start of the operation.

Additional footage showed DHS agents engaging with residents and conducting interviews in various neighborhoods as part of the enforcement effort.

Opposition to the operation materialized quickly.

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Crowds of activists gathered at several locations, shouting at Border Patrol agents and filming interactions.

One widely shared video appeared to show a woman inside a nail salon calling the officers “demons” and invoking religious language as agents conducted operations nearby.

Outside, individuals shouted at DHS personnel as they carried out interviews and checks.

Spectrum News aired footage showing Border Patrol agents conducting field operations around Charlotte, including interviews outside commercial locations.

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Bovino appeared in another video from Charlotte, responding to a resident who questioned why agents were talking to people outside a grocery store.

“Could be. Criminals grocery shop. They gotta eat, too,” Bovino said.

President Donald Trump, in an interview released Friday, discussed the shift in national immigration enforcement since returning to office, emphasizing changes in border security and the expanded role of federal agencies in locating criminal illegal aliens across the country.

According to Trump, the new approach has strengthened safety for communities nationwide as DHS and Border Patrol ramp up operations in multiple cities, including Charlotte.

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