Students at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and NC State University staged protests this month against recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across North Carolina. The demonstrations, labeled as walkouts and rallies, targeted “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” a federal enforcement action that arrested more than 230 individuals in the state. Protesters accused ICE of racial profiling and demanded the abolition of immigration enforcement.
According to ICE, the operation targeted individuals with criminal convictions or pending charges, including offenses such as assault, child abuse, and weapons violations. The agency stated that many of those arrested had re-entered the country illegally after previous deportations. ICE emphasized that the action focused on public safety threats and confirmed that none of the arrests occurred on school campuses.
Despite this, student groups — including “Abolish ICE” chapters and other activist organizations — claimed the raids endangered communities and created a climate of fear. At UNC, students held signs reading “No Human Is Illegal” and “Abolish ICE” while marching through campus. At NC State, speakers condemned what they called “state violence” and demanded the university declare itself a sanctuary campus, despite the state’s ban on such policies.
Campus Reform reports that the protests were organized by left-wing student coalitions that have previously opposed police presence and promoted open borders. Critics argue these demonstrations ignore the legal basis for immigration enforcement and undermine the rule of law. Faculty members reportedly supported the protests, with some allowing students to skip class to participate.
North Carolina has become a focus point for immigration enforcement under President Trump, as ICE continues to conduct targeted operations in coordination with local and federal authorities. The protests reflect ongoing campus activism aligned with progressive causes, often at odds with state and federal law.
