- Federal immigration agents are on the ground in Raleigh and plan to conduct operations in the area Tuesday, according to Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell.
- The National Immigrant Justice Center published a list of things people can do to protect themselves and defend their rights if approached by an immigration agent.
The Latest
4 p.m. – North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green provided a statement on Tuesday about the state’s commitment to providing safe learning environments for all students.
“Every child in North Carolina has the constitutional right to a free public education, regardless of immigration status,” Green said. “This is not a choice, it is our legal responsibility. Our schools are places of learning, growth and opportunity. When students are absent due to fear, their education suffers and our entire community is diminished.
“Consistent with binding legal precedent, North Carolina public schools remain committed to ensuring every student can safely attend school and receive the education they deserve.
“Our educators and school staff are focused on what they do best – teaching and nurturing young minds. We will continue to work with local boards of education and school leaders to maintain safe, welcoming environments where all students can learn and thrive.”
The North Carolina of Department of Public Instruction also
mentioned that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Plyler v. Doe (1982). It
requires that public schools must provide all children access to education,
including undocumented students. Federal and state laws, including Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and North Carolina General Statute Section
115C-367, prohibit discrimination based on race, color or national origin in
North Carolina schools.
In January 2025, the North Carolina Department of Public
Instruction (NCDPI) shared information with public school leaders on school-related
state and federal legal requirements pertaining to immigrant students and
families. The NCDPI encourages public school leaders to review that
information.
3:15 p.m. – U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, provided a statement on Tuesday.
“America is a generous country, but we must ensure that those who come here do so legally. We must enforce America’s immigration laws after years of Joe Biden’s open-border policies invited a flow of drugs and crime. Border Patrol’s operations have resulted in the arrests of several individuals with criminal histories or who had previously been deported. Responsible enforcement measures, carried out in an orderly manner, are critical to protecting American lives and our communities here in North Carolina.”
3 p.m. – WRAL News asked Customs and Border Protection about how many arrests agents have made in the Triangle. The spokesperson did not provide a response.
2:15 p.m. – U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina, posted a statement on Tuesday.
“Deploying CBP [Customs and Border Protection] to major American cities doesn’t make us safer,” Ross wrote. “Indiscriminate immigration raids are useful for sowing fear and generating headlines, but totally ineffective at protecting us from criminals and terrorists.
“When the Trump administration spends money and manpower to randomly sweep people off the streets and target people based on the color of their skin, more felons go free, and there are fewer resources available to combat real threats.
“If reports are true that CBP is in Raleigh, I will work with state and local partners to protect our residents from violations of their rights by federal immigration officers. It’s time for CBP to go home and stop attacking our communities.”
1:45 p.m. – WRAL News has received pictures and videos from viewers showing immigration agents in Durham.
Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams confirmed the presence of Border Patrol in the city.
“Residents have been sending content and posting it online,” Williams wrote in a text message to WRAL News. “It’s extremely frustrating because we are so limited.
“An outright jurisdictional disadvantage.”
12:55 p.m. – A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Border Patrol agents have arrested more than 200 immigrants in the Charlotte area who are believed to be in the U.S. illegally in the first three days of “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
“Criminal records of those arrested include known gang membership, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, felony larceny, simple assault, hit and run, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, DUI, DWI and illegal re-entry after prior deportation, a felony,” the spokesperson said.
12:30 p.m. – Petey Pablo, who is from Greenville, released a statement about Border Patrol operations in North Carolina.
Border Patrol used Pablo’s song “Raise Up” in its video on operations in Charlotte.
“I have my legal team on it as we speak,” Pablo wrote in a statement. “They do not have my permission and I think it is appalling especially what they’re doing to the children.
“I do not stand with this by [any] means, and we are engaged with taking legal actions.”
12:25 p.m. – Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert released a statement on Tuesday, saying the town is aware of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] conducting operations in the Triangle area.
Gilbert said the federal activities are not coordinated in partnership with the town. He also said Apex police do not participate in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Also, he said the town did not receive advance notice or detailed information about the scope and timing of ICE’s efforts.
“As mayor, I want every resident in the town of Apex to know that our officers are here to protect and support this community,” Gilbert wrote. “We remain committed to ensuring that all our neighbors feel safe accessing town services, reporting emergencies and engaging with our officers with trust.
“We are here to serve, and my commitment to safety, support and compassion remains.”
12:20 p.m. – Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor provided a message parents.
“We understand that recent developments regarding federal immigration orders may create questions and anxiety within our community,” Taylor’s statement reads in part.
Taylor added, “Please know that our commitment to you is unwavering. Our primary mission is, and always will be, to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment for every single child, regardless of immigration status. We want all staff and families to feel secure in knowing that we are dedicated to protecting the privacy and rights of all our students, and we are legally required to enroll and educate all children residing within our boundaries.”
The district also encouraged families to communicate directly with the child’s teacher and school if a student needs to be absent.
“Sharing the reason for the absence – whether it’s illness, a family matter, or simply feeling worried – helps us understand how to best support your child,” the district’s statement reads.
The district also provided a list of resources, including:
“Our primary focus remains on the well-being, safety, and education of every student we serve, regardless of their background,” the district’s statement reads. “We recognize that recent orders may cause uncertainty for some members of our community. We want to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming environment where all children can learn and thrive.
“The Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision guarantees all children the right to access a public education, regardless of citizenship status. Our district has always complied with federal and state laws and will continue to do so. We are equally committed to ensuring our schools remain safe and welcoming spaces for all students and families.”
The district also mentioned the procedures law enforcement must follow when interacting with students on campus.
“If law enforcement seeks access to a school, we will consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws,” the district wrote. “Additionally, our district does not ask for or record information about the immigration status of any family. We will continue to honor all laws protecting the privacy of student records as outlined in board policies.”
11:20 a.m. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has responded to former Gov. Roy Cooper’s post on social media platform X that was critical of the department saying they were “randomly sweeping up people based on what they look like.”
The government replied to Cooper by posting a photo of a man they say is a criminal in North Carolina and that the state “refused to hand him over to ICE.”
11:16 a.m. – White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller responded to Charlotte school absences via his X account.
“So a conservative estimate is that one-seventh of a major southern public school district is here illegally,” he posted.
11:10 a.m. – Nikki Marín Baena, co-director of immigrant rights organizations Siembra NC, released a statement in response to agents coming to Raleigh.
“We expect that the agents will be met in Raleigh with a similar community effort that, like Charlotte, values the safety and freedom of all of their neighbors,” Baena said.
10:52a.m. – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders have said that unofficial attendance data from Monday showed nearly 21,000 students were absent on Monday. That is about 15% of students enrolled in the district. A normal day would see about 8% of the district’s students absent.
9:15 a.m. – Durham Mayor Leo Williams was a guest on “Morning Joe” on MSNOW, formerly MSNBC. He reaffirmed that Durham is a city of immigrants and that he and other city leaders will support them.
“We will work to continue to promote our strategic communications with organizations that are advocating around keeping our community safe. The government will do its part. We aren’t trying to antagonize. We understand the jurisdiction here, but Durham is a welcoming city for all,” Williams said.
Williams echoed many of the statements he made during a City Council meeting last night, saying immigrant communities are essential parts of Durham and North Carolina. He said he’s been in communication with Governor Stein and other mayors across the state.
Williams told WRAL that to his knowledge Tuesday morning immigration agents were not planning to go to Durham, but the city is preparing just in case.
8:55 a.m. – The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) and Wake NCAE are “calling on local governments to immediately enact protections that explicitly prohibit Border Patrol and ICE from operating or staging on public property — especially on school campuses. Both the emotional safety of children and the integrity of our classroom learning environments must be protected.”
Raleigh Mayor: Federal immigration agents are on the ground
Cowell told WRAL News that agents are “already in Raleigh and will be active” on Tuesday. The move comes as Border Patrol agents are conducting operations in Charlotte, about 170 miles away.
“We don’t know how many law enforcement officers are here,” Cowell said in a phone interview with WRAL News. “We don’t know how long they’re going to stay.
“But, I mean, my sense is that they believe that there are … folks [who] are here [who] have committed crimes and are in the country illegally, and they will probably going to parts of town where they feel like they can intercept those individuals.”
Cowell said her goal is to keep people safe.
“We didn’t ask for this presence,” Cowell said. “We feel like the Raleigh police are doing a great job here locally.”
Cowell noted that Raleigh’s violent crime is down 2% and property crime is down 16% from a year ago.
The Department of Homeland Security last weekend arrested more than 130 immigrants in the Charlotte area who are believed to be in the U.S. illegally, the department said. The department sent agents to Charlotte despite objections from city officials, who claim the deployment is unnecessary.
Likewise, Cowell said city officials didn’t request help from federal immigration agents and aren’t a part of their operations. Federal agents have not informed Raleigh officials who they are targeting or when they expect to complete their operations, Cowell said.
“The police will be doing normal patrols out in the community,” Cowell said. “The biggest message here is that we know some people will be concerned. Some will feel threatened. They can call the police if needed.”
The National Immigrant Justice Center published a list of things people can do to protect themselves and defend their rights if approached by an immigration agent. It includes:
- Create a safety plan: Identify emergency contacts and memorize their phone numbers. Protect your child’s school or day care with an emergency contact to pick up your child. Provide authorization in writing for your emergency contact to make medical and legal decisions for your child.
- Defend your rights: All people in the United States have constitutional protections, including the right to remain silent when questioned or arrested by immigration officers.
Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe provided WRAL News this statement:
“The Wake County Sheriff’s Office has not received any official notification from U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” Rowe wrote. “However, if any operation or activity should occur, I kindly ask all residents to refrain from engaging or confronting Border Control personnel and allow them to carry out their official duties.
“The safety and well-being of our community remains the primary concern of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, and we strive to avoid circumstances that may lead to injuries or unnecessary arrests.”
The North Carolina Association of Educators shared a post on its Facebook page last night saying there were reports of an “unusually high number of student absences” at Charlotte area schools on Monday – the first school day since federal agents began operating in that area. They said it was a “clear sign that families were afraid to send their children to school.”
“This is wrong – full stop,” the post continued. “This crisis does not affect only immigrant children. Fear ripples through every classroom. Adult staff and caregivers are terrified of being targeted. When we are worried about safety, learning is interrupted for everyone. Traumatizing children and families is not – and must never be considered acceptable government policy.”
With activities set to start Tuesday in Raleigh, WRAL has reached out to Wake County Schools for comment. They directed us to their website with a statement regarding federal immigration orders.
“Our primary focus remains on the well-being, safety, and education of every student we serve, regardless of their background. We recognize that recent orders may cause uncertainty for some members of our community. We want to reaffirm our commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming environment where all children can learn and thrive.
The Supreme Court’s Plyler v. Doe decision guarantees all children the right to access a public education, regardless of citizenship status. Our district has always complied with federal and state laws and will continue to do so. We are equally committed to ensuring our schools remain safe and welcoming spaces for all students and families.
Building leaders have been reminded of the procedures that law enforcement agencies must follow when interacting with students on campus. If law enforcement seeks access to a school, we will consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Additionally, our district does not ask for or record information about the immigration status of any family. We will continue to honor all laws protecting the privacy of student records as outlined in board policies. We encourage families to contact their school’s student support services if their child has concerns or social-emotional needs during this time.”
Watch: UNC immigration law professor on Charlotte ICE raids: ‘I have a number of concerns’ on scale & scope