After arresting more than 130 people in Charlotte over the weekend, federal immigration agents are deploying to North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh, city officials confirmed on 17 November. The move is part of a wider Trump-era strategy of targeting jurisdictions labeled as “sanctuaries” despite a new state law requiring jails to honor federal detainers.
DHS has not disclosed how long agents will remain or what industries they are focusing on, but prior operations in Los Angeles and Chicago leaned heavily on workplace audits in construction, hospitality and logistics. Local tech hubs in Morrisville and Cary—home to large H-1B and OPT populations—are bracing for increased document inspections.
![Federal Immigration Sweep Expands from Charlotte to Raleigh, Heightening Corporate Duty-of-Care Concerns]()
Community leaders warn the raids are sowing fear: some immigrant employees have skipped work or avoided driving, disrupting manufacturing shifts and delivery schedules. Governor Josh Stein and Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell criticized the operation as political theatre given that city crime rates are at a five-year low.
For employers the immediate action items are familiar but urgent: ensure I-9 files are immaculate, refresh “know-your-rights” training, and review contingency plans for sudden labor shortages. Companies with global assignees in Research Triangle Park should communicate that CBP and ICE officers may question foreign nationals regardless of status.
The North Carolina expansion signals that mobility-heavy metro areas—even those with recent compliance upticks—remain on the enforcement radar, underscoring the need for ongoing audit readiness.
DHS has not disclosed how long agents will remain or what industries they are focusing on, but prior operations in Los Angeles and Chicago leaned heavily on workplace audits in construction, hospitality and logistics. Local tech hubs in Morrisville and Cary—home to large H-1B and OPT populations—are bracing for increased document inspections.
Community leaders warn the raids are sowing fear: some immigrant employees have skipped work or avoided driving, disrupting manufacturing shifts and delivery schedules. Governor Josh Stein and Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell criticized the operation as political theatre given that city crime rates are at a five-year low.
For employers the immediate action items are familiar but urgent: ensure I-9 files are immaculate, refresh “know-your-rights” training, and review contingency plans for sudden labor shortages. Companies with global assignees in Research Triangle Park should communicate that CBP and ICE officers may question foreign nationals regardless of status.
The North Carolina expansion signals that mobility-heavy metro areas—even those with recent compliance upticks—remain on the enforcement radar, underscoring the need for ongoing audit readiness.
