Two men in Charlotte, North Carolina, staged a provocative protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents by playing audio of crying children being separated from their parents outside a hotel where agents were staying. The video of the stunt, shared on social media, quickly went viral, drawing national attention. The demonstration reflects ongoing community backlash against heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, even as federal authorities maintain limited details on recent raids. Local officials and residents expressed deep concern about the operations’ impact on public safety and civil liberties.
Viral Megaphone Protest
Two activists, including TikTok user @dawokefarmer, used a megaphone outside a Charlotte hotel to blast recordings of distressed children and accusatory messages, targeting ICE agents directly. “You’re okay with this” was one of the phrases mixed with the cries, creating a stark visual and audio statement meant to highlight the human cost of family separations in immigration enforcement.
Charlotte ICE Deployment
The hotel had been housing ICE agents amid the Trump administration’s latest immigration surge. The presence of federal officers in Charlotte sparked protests and intense local opposition, with residents focusing on hotels believed to be temporary bases for Border Patrol personnel.
Local Officials Respond
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein condemned the ICE raids, citing paramilitary tactics and racial profiling. “We’ve seen masked, heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars, targeting American citizens based on their skin color, racially profiling, and picking up random people in parking lots and off of our sidewalks,” he said. “This is not making us safer. It’s stoking fear and dividing our community.”
Operation Wrap-Up
Mecklenburg County officials confirmed that the immigration enforcement operation, dubbed “Charlotte’s Web,” concluded on Thursday. Border Patrol officers involved have left the city, though details about arrests and the full scope of the operation remain limited.
Arrests and DHS Claims
The Department of Homeland Security reported over 250 arrests in the Charlotte area, claiming many had “extensive immigration and criminal histories” and releasing photos of selected detainees, labeling them as the “worst of the worst.” Agents targeted workplaces, retail locations, restaurants, courts, schools, and places of worship, though exact operational details were not disclosed.
Sanctuary and Welcoming Status
Charlotte is not a sanctuary city but holds “certified welcoming city” status, recognizing its commitment to immigrant inclusion. DHS emphasized that federal enforcement actions would continue despite local policies, stating, “President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
Community Tensions Remain
Local residents and activists continue to express alarm at the aggressive ICE presence, highlighting fear, uncertainty, and community divisions. Protests like the megaphone demonstration demonstrate mounting public opposition to federal immigration tactics and the emotional toll on families in affected areas.