ICE in North Carolina during Trump 2.0
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Immigrant communities across the U.S. are on edge as they anticipate a wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids ordered by the Trump administration.
Why it matters: President Trump's promise to crack down on undocumented immigrants through large-scale deportations could impact thousands across the Triangle and the rest of the state.
- In the meantime, it's forced local schools, municipalities, government officials, hospitals, and nonprofits to communicate how they'd handle raids.
Driving the news: The Trump administration has already begun delivering on one of his key campaign promises: ICE has made more than 3,500 arrests since the president took office last week — already far outpacing the average number of arrests the Biden administration made in a day.
- With more arrests and detainments to come, ICE's tactics are becoming clearer.
Zoom in: Wake County Schools was one of many school districts across the country seeking to reassure families after the Trump administration announced it would end the policy of avoiding arrests in churches, schools, hospitals, funerals, weddings and public demonstrations.
- The school district sent principals guidance this week saying that ICE generally can't enter schools without a federal judicial warrant, and that the district reserves the right to refuse agents entry unless there are "exigent circumstances indicating a threat to public safety," The News & Observer reports.
- Durham Public Schools also issued a statement this week, saying it will only provide confidential student information if required by law, per ABC11.
- UNC-Chapel Hill, meanwhile, said the university would comply with ICE if it seeks students on campus, per the N&O.
By the numbers: Approximately 325,000 unauthorized immigrants lived in North Carolina as of 2022, Pew Research Center estimates.
- Some 9% of North Carolina's K-12 students have at least one parent who is unauthorized, per Pew.
The latest: Fear spread in Durham last week after false rumors of an ICE raid at a Durham grocery store circulated.
What they're saying: "One of the main priorities of the Trump administration is to encourage self-deportation," Nikki Marin-Baena of the Triad-based immigrant advocacy organization Siembra told WUNC.
- "Creating such an environment of panic that people will want to leave on their own. What's really important about ICE verification is controlling rumors in the community."