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Immigration officers have arrived in the Democratic-run city as part of the Trump administration's growing crackdown on undocumented immigration, according to authority reports.

The operation, dubbed "Charlotte's Web Operation", was announced on Saturday, with authorities stating that "illegal immigrants with criminal records" would be the focus in the urban area.

"Our department is deploying DHS law enforcement to the city to maintain public safety and remove dangerous individuals," government authorities commented.

City authorities, including the city's chief executive, published a collective announcement condemning the campaign, saying it was causing "unwarranted anxiety and confusion" in the community.

Operation Details

Armoured vehicles and elite units could be participating in the Charlotte area crackdown, according to internal government documents.

Several church members doing yard work at a church in east Charlotte escaped to nearby forest when agents arrived, with one man being apprehended, according to accounts.

"We assumed the religious facility was protected and nothing [was] gonna happen," a 15-year-old witness told reporters.

Political Context

Since Trump's return to office, national forces have been deployed to several locations including key American cities to deliver on the promise of "the biggest immigration enforcement effort" in US history.

The Department of Homeland Security said they are implementing the campaign because North Carolina has not honoured the around 1,400 immigration agency persons held, meaning they had been freed due to "sanctuary policies".

Municipal Classification

The city is not a sanctuary city - urban areas that have policies in place to restrict cooperation given to national immigration agencies - but it is a "designated immigrant-friendly municipality". This is a formal designation for urban centers that are committed to immigrant integration.

"Federal officials will act to safeguard US citizens when local officials won't," representatives announced.

Population Background

Charlotte is an ethnically diverse city, with about seventeen percent of residents being born outside of the country, according to census information.

Government agencies has not revealed how long the operations will last. Windy City enforcement, which commenced several months ago is still ongoing.

Official Response

Recently, Democratic representative Alma Adams said she was made aware of the campaign and was "deeply worried" about immigration enforcement personnel coming to the state.

The next city on the administration's agenda is set to be the southern municipality, according to information, and that as many as numerous personnel could be sent to the city.

Enforcement actions in other municipalities like large metropolitan areas have faced criticism over allegations of overly aggressive tactics.

Legal Resources

Authorities said there are "multiple groups standing ready to assist persons needing legal advice on immigration issues".

• Immigration law groups are prepared to support concerned persons
• Community resources can provide guidance on legal protections
• Government procedures exist for addressing concerns about campaigns