The presence of armed agents at Central United Methodist Church sparks concerns about religious sanctuary and community safety.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Faith leaders and state lawmakers are condemning an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation that took place at a Charlotte church during preschool pickup time, calling it a troubling breach of sacred space that has instilled fear throughout the religious community.
Armed ICE agents staged an operation at Central United Methodist Church in east Charlotte on Tuesday, May 20. Ultimately, one was detained. The incident has sparked widespread concern about the sanctity of religious spaces and the safety of congregants seeking worship and community services.
“The places where people come to worship, pray, study, and live out the tenets of their faith should be unavailable for this kind of posture,” said Jennifer Copeland, executive director of the North Carolina Council of Churches.
The operation has prompted fears among churches across the state about potential future enforcement actions on religious property.
“Sacred places all throughout North Carolina now worry, ‘Can that happen to us? Will that happen here?'” Copeland said.
State Representative Julia Greenfield, a Democrat who represents part of Mecklenburg County, voiced strong opposition to the enforcement action.
“It’s wrong on every level. I don’t value one human life over another, and everyone deserves an opportunity to have a good life. It’s upsetting,” she said.
Community advocates described the operation as both concerning and indiscriminate in its approach.
“Every North Carolinian should be alarmed that our neighbors are getting abducted by ICE in an operation that appears to be both discriminatory and indiscriminate,” said Daniela Andrade, communications specialist with Carolina Migrant Network.
Faith leaders argue that ICE enforcement activity on church property fundamentally interferes with their religious mission and core ministries.
“ICE enforcement activity in sacred property interferes with the Christian call to ‘welcome the stranger’, to serve our neighbors and carry on the ministries that are centered to our faith,” Copeland explained.
The timing of the operation during preschool pickup has particularly concerned religious leaders, who say the presence of armed federal agents created fear among children, families, and church staff who view the property as a place of refuge and safety.
Churches have historically been considered sensitive locations where immigration enforcement is generally discouraged except in extraordinary circumstances. However, the Central United Methodist incident has raised questions about how these policies are being implemented and whether religious spaces are receiving adequate protection.
The incident reflects broader tensions over immigration enforcement policies and their impact on communities where undocumented immigrants seek services, worship, and community support.
Faith leaders emphasize that churches serve as crucial community anchors, providing not only spiritual guidance but also social services, food assistance, and support for vulnerable populations regardless of immigration status.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to ICE for comment. As of publication, the agency has not provided a statement.
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