Charlotte businesses and community groups mobilize amid Border Patrol operation
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Charlotte organizations and businesses are offering support to immigrants as fear spreads over heightened Border Patrol activity in the area.
Why it matters: Since federal agents arrived in Charlotte, some businesses have shuttered, and many residents are staying home to avoid encounters with officials — leaving immigrant families cut off from work, school, and daily routines.
The big picture: While city officials have little room to intervene, grassroots groups are providing everything from legal rights workshops and hotlines to coordinated rides and community safety patrols.
- ourBRIDGE for Kids is hosting a grocery delivery for immigrant families and a food drive, as many immigrant families are choosing to stay at home.
- Compare Foods is also offering free grocery delivery for Charlotte customers who don't feel comfortable shopping in person.
- North Tryon Laundromat is offering free pick-up and delivery laundry services for families who are afraid to come wash clothes in person.
State of play: Immigration support groups, including Action NC and Refugee Support Services, are also stepping in to educate immigrants on their rights through workshops in case they have to interact with federal agents.
- Carolina Migrant Network provides free defense for detained people, a rapid response hotline and "know your rights" resource materials.
- Latin American Coalition, the first Latino organization in North Carolina, offers various resources, from labor rights workshops to mental health support.
Zoom in: As some Hispanic-owned businesses temporarily close, others are donating funds to support local efforts.
- Detour Coffee, a mobile coffee shop, is donating 15% of its sales and 50% of tips to Carolina Migrant Network this week.
- Thrift Pony is donating 25% of sales this week to Carolina Migrant Network.
Zoom out: Other groups and individuals are using their platforms to share verified information and safety alerts — and to organize street patrols, volunteer opportunities, and donation efforts.
- Former elementary school teacher and founder of Primary Focus: The Parent's Guide to Elementary School, Natalie Parme nter, is hosting online classes via livestream on YouTube starting at 8:30am Monday—Friday.
- Volunteers are posting outside of schools, grocery stores and businesses to deter Border Patrol agents from appearing, and to make their immigrant neighbors feel safe.
- Siembra NC operates a hotline where residents can report suspected ICE or police activity; verified alerts are shared community-wide.
- CharlotteEAST and Indivisible Charlotte use Instagram to keep neighbors informed with lists of volunteer opportunities, sign-ups for street and school patrols and resource distribution efforts.
Reality check: Many of these organizations offer year-round resources for immigrants.
- "Our footprint covers about 67,000 residents, and a third of them are first- or second-generation Americans," CharlotteEast executive director Greg Asciutto tells Axios. "We work extremely closely with immigrant-facing nonprofits — that overlap is part of our day-to-day."
What's next: Charlotte City Council will vote on a measure on or before Nov. 24, directing the city manager to quickly deploy short-term funding, in coordination with Mecklenburg County, to local organizations helping residents affected by ICE and Border Patrol activity.
Between the lines: It's unclear how long Border Patrol will be in Charlotte, as they recently expanded their operation to Raleigh.
Editor's note: We've updated this story with fresh details about community efforts.