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Tag: immigrant community

  • ‘Closed until further notice’: How can you help Charlotte’s Latin-owned businesses?

    When Manuel “Manolo” Betancur saw CharlotteFive videographer Alex Cason in the parking lot of Manolo’s Bakery on Saturday afternoon, he walked right up to Cason’s car window to deliver the tough news: For the first time in 28 years, he was going to close the Charlotte bakery.

    With U.S. Border Patrol in the area detaining people, it just wasn’t safe for the Latino community to have the doors open right now, Betancur explained. “They’re lying, man,” he told Cason. “They’re not chasing criminals. They’re chasing anyone who looks, speaks like me, who has an accent like me ….”

    The bakery will remain closed at least through Sunday, and Betancur wasn’t sure when it would reopen.

    After we shared the news on Instagram, the community seemed to speak up collectively: How can we help?

    With U.S. Border Patrol in Charlotte, area businesses close

    It wasn’t just Manolo’s Bakery affected by the presence of Border Patrol agents.

    Around Charlotte, employees and customers could be seen getting dragged out of local businesses and loaded into cars. Some restaurateurs closed entirely, others switched to takeout only, and some who remained open saw empty dining rooms.

    The Charlotte Observer’s Patrick Wilson stopped in for an early dinner at Como en Mexico on Sugar Creek Road on Saturday evening and found himself the only diner in the restaurant, with one couple stopping in for a takeout order.

    It’s unclear if the restaurant is typically busy at that time. However, on Sunday, the restaurant was closed and the parking lot was empty. It’s typically open 7 days a week.

    Como en Mexico on Sugar Creek Road on Saturday evening, Nov. 16, 2025.
    Como en Mexico on Sugar Creek Road on Saturday evening, Nov. 16, 2025. Patrick Wilson CharlotteFive

    The dining room at Coco Mexican Restaurant in Mint Hill opened for takeout only on Sunday.

    El Taco Veloz on North Tryon Street had a sign posted Sunday stating “We are currently closed until further notice.”

    El Taco Veloz on North Tryon Street in Charlotte posted a sign stating “We are currently closed until further notice” on Sunday, Nov. 16.
    El Taco Veloz on North Tryon Street in Charlotte posted a sign stating “We are currently closed until further notice” on Sunday, Nov. 16. Khadejeh Nikouyeh CharlotteFive

    Even across the border in South Carolina, Las Américas Mercado Y Cocina in Rock Hill canceled this upcoming week’s Taco Tuesday, stating the safety of the community comes first.

    How to help: Support local Latino-owned businesses

    As businesses close or face the loss of customers, the Charlotte community has asked for ways to help out. Here are a few ideas to support the local Latino community:

    Extending support will help keep businesses afloat during this time. “These next two weeks are BRUTAL for food and bev, some of you are purchasing your turkeys and buying your potatoes and gravy and other families are scared to go out to the grocery store or not working on the busiest season because of FEAR,” The Batchmaker wrote on Instagram.

    “Immigration looks different for everyone but the one thing we all have in common is the courage to leave everything you know (the food, the language, the culture, the traditions, the spaces, the faces) and the bravery to start somewhere else,” wrote The Batchmaker, a Latin owned business.

    How to help: Donate to those who help Charlotte’s immigrant community

    Local organizations who help Charlotte’s immigrant community include:

    Additionally, you can donate to or buy shirts, hoodies or tote bags from By Immigrant Hands, which is a nonprofit owned by Betancur, dedicated to helping the forgotten and “uniting neighbors, communities, and nations” by giving out bread and birthday cakes.

    “When we stop the division, when we stop the racial profiling, we stop the racism,” Betancur told us on Saturday.

    On the afternoon of Sunday Nov. 16, businesses in a plaza on Sugar Creek Road were closed, most with blinds down. Several local businesses closed to protect the safety of their customers and employees as the U.S. Border Patrol arrived in Charlotte.
    On the afternoon of Sunday Nov. 16, businesses in a plaza on Sugar Creek Road were closed, most with blinds down. Several local businesses closed to protect the safety of their customers and employees as the U.S. Border Patrol arrived in Charlotte. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

    This story was originally published November 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM.

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    Melissa Oyler

    The Charlotte Observer

    Melissa Oyler is the editor of CharlotteFive. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her running, practicing hot yoga or snuggling with her rescue dogs, X and Charlie. Find her on Instagram or X: @melissaoyler.
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  • Charlotte grocery store offers free delivery to protect immigrant community

    In a step to protect the city’s immigrant community while U.S. Border Patrol is in Charlotte detaining people, Compare Foods has offered free pickup and delivery of groceries through Dec. 31.

    Customers can also ask the store about its Uber rides program for those who prefer to shop in person, Compare Foods posted on Instagram on Saturday, Nov. 15. Uber Eats and DoorDash Groceries are also available, though app fees still apply.

    Gratis al ordenar en compareclt.com usando el código NOFEE2025. For free delivery or pickup, use the code NOFEE2025 when placing your order at compareclt.com.

    “Nuestro objetivo es que puedas recibir tus productos con tranquilidad, desde la comodidad de tu hogar, con la misma frescura y calidad de siempre,” the grocery store stated.

    “Our goal is to help you receive the items you need from the comfort of your home, with the same freshness, quality, and care you expect from us,” the grocery store stated.

    “Seguimos trabajando para ti, reforzando nuestro compromiso con la comunidad que ha confiado en nosotros por tantos años.”

    “We continue to work for you, strengthening our commitment to the community that has trusted us for so many years.”

    Masked federal agents detained and arrested people in the Charlotte area throughout the day on Saturday, leading to several local businesses to close in order to protect the safety of their customers and employees. It was unclear how long Border Patrol planned to stay in the area.

    Compare Foods

    Location: Multiple

    Instagram: @comparefoodsclt

    Exterior, wide shot of a Compare Foods supermarket entrance with a large red and blue sign. The parking lot in front is mostly empty, and a few people are walking towards or away from the entrance.
    Compare Foods has several locations in the Charlotte area. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

    This story was originally published November 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM.

    Related Stories from Charlotte Observer

    Melissa Oyler

    The Charlotte Observer

    Melissa Oyler is the editor of CharlotteFive. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find her running, practicing hot yoga or snuggling with her rescue dogs, X and Charlie. Find her on Instagram or X: @melissaoyler.

    Melissa Oyler

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  • New California law banning officers, agents from covering their faces sparks enforcement debate

    California has become the first state to ban most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from covering their faces while on duty.Governor Gavin Newsom signed what sponsors have called the “No Secret Police Act” into law on Saturday.The law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026, makes exceptions for the use of motorcycle or other safety helmets, sunglasses, or other standard law enforcement gear not designed with the purpose of hiding anyone’s identity. The California Highway Patrol is also exempt. Officers who violate the law could face charges or lose their qualified immunity.The bill was a direct response to recent immigration raids in California, where federal agents wore masks while making arrests.”ICE. Unmask. What are you afraid of? What are you afraid of? What are you afraid of? You’re going to go out and you’re going to do enforcement. Provide an ID,” Newsom said Saturday at a news conference in Los Angeles.Right now, it’s not clear how or if state can enforce the ban on federal agents.Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X Saturday saying California has no jurisdiction over the federal government. “I’ve directed our federal agencies that the law signed today has no effect on our operations. Our agents will continue to protect their identities,” he said in a post to X. As for local jurisdictions, Sgt. Amar Gandhi with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said lawmakers are creating a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.”This will have no consequence to quite literally anybody. They have no jurisdiction over federal authorities. When is the last time you walked outside and saw a patrolman in a mask? It doesn’t happen,” he said. “It’s absolutely stupid and useless. This doesn’t affect anybody it’s intended to effect.”Advocacy groups like NorCal Resist said they are looking forward to learning about how the new law will be enforced. They sent a statement reading in part, “We are encouraged to see steps being taken to end these disturbing, secret police tactics that have created terror in our immigrant communities.”The White House also sent a statement to KCRA 3. It reads in part, “ICE officers wear masks to protect themselves and their families from being doxed. ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities with the utmost professionalism. Anyone pointing the finger at law enforcement officers instead of the criminals are simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.”Newsom signed the bill along with several others aimed at protecting California’s immigrant communities.The package of legislation would require that families be notified when immigration agents come on school campuses and require a judicial warrant or court order before giving student information or classroom access to ICE.The new legislation would also require a warrant or court order before allowing agents access to emergency rooms and other nonpublic areas of a hospital. And it would clarify that immigration information collected by a health care provider is medical information.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    California has become the first state to ban most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from covering their faces while on duty.

    Governor Gavin Newsom signed what sponsors have called the “No Secret Police Act” into law on Saturday.

    The law, which takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026, makes exceptions for the use of motorcycle or other safety helmets, sunglasses, or other standard law enforcement gear not designed with the purpose of hiding anyone’s identity. The California Highway Patrol is also exempt.

    Officers who violate the law could face charges or lose their qualified immunity.

    The bill was a direct response to recent immigration raids in California, where federal agents wore masks while making arrests.

    “ICE. Unmask. What are you afraid of? What are you afraid of? What are you afraid of? You’re going to go out and you’re going to do enforcement. Provide an ID,” Newsom said Saturday at a news conference in Los Angeles.

    Right now, it’s not clear how or if state can enforce the ban on federal agents.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X Saturday saying California has no jurisdiction over the federal government.

    “I’ve directed our federal agencies that the law signed today has no effect on our operations. Our agents will continue to protect their identities,” he said in a post to X.

    As for local jurisdictions, Sgt. Amar Gandhi with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said lawmakers are creating a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

    “This will have no consequence to quite literally anybody. They have no jurisdiction over federal authorities. When is the last time you walked outside and saw a patrolman in a mask? It doesn’t happen,” he said. “It’s absolutely stupid and useless. This doesn’t affect anybody it’s intended to effect.”

    Advocacy groups like NorCal Resist said they are looking forward to learning about how the new law will be enforced. They sent a statement reading in part, “We are encouraged to see steps being taken to end these disturbing, secret police tactics that have created terror in our immigrant communities.”

    The White House also sent a statement to KCRA 3. It reads in part, “ICE officers wear masks to protect themselves and their families from being doxed. ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities with the utmost professionalism. Anyone pointing the finger at law enforcement officers instead of the criminals are simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.”

    Newsom signed the bill along with several others aimed at protecting California’s immigrant communities.

    The package of legislation would require that families be notified when immigration agents come on school campuses and require a judicial warrant or court order before giving student information or classroom access to ICE.

    The new legislation would also require a warrant or court order before allowing agents access to emergency rooms and other nonpublic areas of a hospital. And it would clarify that immigration information collected by a health care provider is medical information.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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