Camino said more spiritual care is being sought by families.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The presence of immigration enforcement is being felt across Charlotte, leaving many families fearful and uncertain.
This week, a parent was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) near an elementary school off Albemarle Road in east Charlotte. The parent was reportedly on their way to drop off their child when they were stopped and taken into custody. Witness video captured part of the encounter.
“We were able to get a legal observer in the area to document what happened,” said Stefanía Arteaga with the Carolina Migrant Network. “It was later on that we found out this was a parent from one of the local elementary schools,”
Initially, ICE said the person taken into custody was a man with a criminal background who was detained on a public sidewalk near his residence, but the agency later confirmed it was not the same individual.
Since the incident, more ICE sightings have been reported across Charlotte, including near Central Avenue and Sheridan Drive, and a gas station near South Boulevard and Archdale Drive. ICE told WCNC Charlotte it cannot confirm each incident due to privacy laws, but stated that agents conduct arrests on a daily basis.
The recent activity has caused concern and confusion within Charlotte’s immigrant communities, particularly among Latino families.
“A lot of the fear is coming from misinformation about what’s going on and what to do if you’re in that situation,” said Paola Garcia, a spokesperson for Camino, a nonprofit organization that provides health care, education, and workforce services to the Latino community. “People are afraid to leave their homes. They are afraid to go anywhere that they don’t have super trust in or that they might know, especially if it is someone that doesn’t speak their language or know their culture.”
Camino, which has served the Charlotte area for more than 25 years, is now working to provide families with tools to be proactive and prepared in case of an encounter with ICE.
“Have a conversation. Be prepared. Have your passport ready, have a plan of action, know who to contact, and create a WhatsApp group,” Garcia said. “If you’re fortunate enough to have an attorney, include them in that WhatsApp group and be ready to activate your plan if something happens.”
Garcia said Camino is also connecting with local attorneys and immigration professionals to provide guidance and legal resources.
“We’re trying to work with attorneys in this area to be a guide and a resource for Latinos in this community,” she said.
Carolina Migrant Network is also providing legal resources to families.
“What we’re focusing on is ensuring that people know that regardless of their status, they have constitutional rights,” said Arteaga.
Camino has also observed a shift in the type of services families are seeking. While some health and workforce programs have seen a drop in attendance, there has been an increase in faith-based counseling and pastoral support as more families are turning to spiritual leaders during this uncertain time.
Despite the fear, Garcia said Camino remains committed to being a safe and supportive space.
“Our top priority is keeping this campus safe for the community,” she said.
Contact Jesse Pierre at [email protected] or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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