ICE Surpasses 5,000 Immigrant Arrests in North Carolina in 2026

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained more than 5,000 people in North Carolina during 2026. The arrests were documented in the Deportation Data Project, according to ABC News.

How Immigration Arrests are Distributed in North Carolina

At the national level, ICE operations have generated 253,000 detentions so far in 2026, according to the same registry. In the Raleigh area alone, the figure reaches 441 arrests.

As ABC News points out, immigrant advocates and lawyers warn that these operations generate fear, stress, and uncertainty in immigrant communities. The impact extends beyond those directly detained.

Two out of three people detained by ICE in North Carolina have no criminal records, according to data cited by ABC News. The figure contrasts with official discourse that prioritizes detaining people with criminal histories.

The Impact of Operation Charlotte’s Web on Daily Life

Fear among immigrant communities intensified following Operation Charlotte’s Web, a deployment that increased the presence of ICE agents in the region. As a result, many people stopped engaging in everyday activities they previously performed without concern.

The situation became even more complicated for those with ongoing immigration processes. According to ABC News, men and women with different immigration statuses have been detained during official appointments to regularize their stay in the country.

Current Legal Framework: Attending an immigration appointment is part of the legal process to request a visa, status adjustment, or a hearing before the Immigration Case Review Office (EOIR). An arrest during that process does not nullify a person’s right to due process, although in practice it may accelerate their entry into deportation proceedings.

What National Figures Reveal About the Profile of Those Detained

At the national level, approximately 28% of people detained this year have a prior criminal conviction. 30% face pending criminal charges, while more than 40% have no criminal record, according to data from the Deportation Data Project cited by ABC News.

That distribution fuels debate about the actual priorities of immigration operations. Immigrant rights organizations argue that the majority of those arrested do not represent a threat to public safety.

Last May, N+ Univisión documented that ICE made approximately 6,500 arrests in North Carolina since the start of the current administration. Most of those people were sent to detention centers in Stewart and Folkston in the state of Georgia.

The Human Face Behind Detention Numbers

Approximately 1,100 of the people transferred to those centers had no criminal records, according to the N+ Univisión report. In at least 50 instances, use of force was reported during those operations.

The psychological impact of these arrests was also documented by the organization El Futuro in its Mental Health Solidarity Report for Immigrants. The study includes testimonies from families living under constant stress over the possibility of detention.

The organization Siembra NC documented a change in ICE’s strategy in the region, with arrests concentrated in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Wake County. According to the organization, agents search for specific individuals but end up detaining other immigrants found nearby.

Testimonies About Operations in Caldwell County

The Caldwell County Sheriff confirmed that 13 arrests carried out in Wilson Creek were executed by ICE agents. The operation adds to the list of interventions documented in various localities across North Carolina during this year.

These cases show how immigration operations have expanded beyond the state’s major cities. ICE presence now reaches rural areas and smaller communities.

What Immigrant Families Can Do in Light of This Situation

Families with an active immigration process can verify their case status through the online system of the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Consulting with an accredited immigration attorney before attending an official appointment can help identify the specific risks of each situation.

Organizations such as Siembra NC and El Futuro offer legal guidance and emotional support to people affected by operations in North Carolina. Staying informed through verified sources remains the best tool in a migration context that continues to change.