Federal immigration agents were on the ground in Raleigh and began operations targeting immigrants Tuesday, Nov. 18. This came after immigration agents previously began operations in Charlotte, arresting over 200 people and leading over 30,000 children to stay home from school. Similar numbers of people are expected to have stayed home Tuesday in Raleigh.
“This country was built by immigrants,” said Christopher*, a student whose family immigrated to the US from an African nation, with the specifics withheld here for safety reasons. “[Immigration agents] need to respect the constitution, and those people [who they detain] need to be represented by a lawyer: they also have rights.”
Immigration agencies have embarked on a nationwide program of mass deportation since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, after he promised to conduct the largest mass deportation in history during the campaign trail. Immigration agents often wear either camo vests or plainclothes alongside masks, and drive in unmarked minivans or SUVs. Supporters have cast the detainees as violent and deranged criminals, but the vast majority of detained people have been immigrants working at jobs, with no history of violent crime, and even many with citizenship or green cards, targeted purely due to their skin color or language.
“We are working, and making our stuff and trying to pay our bills. We’re not doing something bad,” said José*, a student whose family immigrated from Mexico last year. “I’m scared because I live with my dad and my mom, and they are the ones in charge of taking care of me. I don’t know what I could do without them.”
Neither the City of Raleigh, nor Wake County, nor North Carolina had requested any assistance from immigration agencies. NC Governor Josh Stein put out a statement criticizing the actions of immigration agents, and encouraging residents to record any abuses.
“I want to encourage North Carolinians to remember our values. We follow the law. We remain peaceful. We do not allow ourselves to be provoked. We stand with our neighbors,” said Stein in the statement. “And when we see injustice, we bear witness. If you see any inappropriate behavior, use your phones to record and notify local law enforcement, who will continue to keep our communities safe long after these federal agents leave. That’s the North Carolina way.”
As reports have come out from city after city of immigration agents grabbing people off the street and from court rooms to detain them, breaking into cars and churches and raiding apartment buildings, many Triangle residents worry that they are no longer safe, and may be deported to another country far away from their family, friends and life just because of the color of their skin, the language they speak, or their immigration status.
“I’m worried that they don’t respect the Constitution,” said Christopher. “They just base [detentions] on race and discrimination; they just take people without checking: ‘does this person have a right to be in this country or not?’ They just pick you up and break your stuff, and they take you.”
If immigration agents come to someone’s house, they are unable to enter in without a valid warrant signed by a judge. Immigrant rights groups encourage everyone to know their rights, to only let agents in their house if they have signed warrants and to stay indoors if they spot agents outside. If residents have proof of their citizenship or immigration status, they should carry copies of it at all times & show it to agents when requested. Everyone, regardless of citizenship status, has a right to remain silent when questioned, and has a right to legal representation in a fair trial.
“This is similar to what happened in Venezuela; the president is trying to change things to be a dictator,” said Antonella*, a student whose family moved to the US from their original home in Venezuela. “I’m scared to be [separated from my family,] and to be [worried] when I go outside.”
Just like entering a house, immigration agents are not allowed to enter school buildings without a valid warrant signed by a judge. Public schools are legally required to give every single student, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, a free, high-quality education. Athens Drive and all other schools in Wake County do not collect information on whether students are citizens or not, and are dedicated to providing a safe environment for students to learn without fear. Wake County issued a statement Tuesday stressing its commitment to supporting staff, students and their families, and to keeping schools safe for all students.
“We’re trying to provide a safe and secure learning experience for every student in Wake County; that’s their right as a human being,” said Janet MacDonald, English as a Second Language teacher at Athens Drive. “These are children who may not have agency, and who are here because of a decision their family made. And to punish their families for needing to be safe and to take care of their children? It’s a very un-American thing to do.”
After the first day of immigration agents’ operations in Raleigh, many members of the community banded together to protect and help their immigrant neighbors and community members, while many of those members have felt afraid to even leave their homes. On the same day, many families chose not to send their children to school out of fear that they would be taken by immigration agents, hundreds of protesters marched in Moore Square expressing their support for the immigrant community, and for an end to the immigration enforcement operations in the Triangle. Hundreds more people volunteered with Siembra NC, a state-wide civil rights organization dedicated to helping immigrants.
“I like the kind people that are all living here,” said José, when asked about his favourite part of living in America. “There are always good people.”
*Christopher, José and Antonella are each quoted under pseudonyms, as all three students feared for their safety if their real names were printed publicly.
