On the morning of Nov. 15, students at the University of Charlotte woke up on a day that seemed like any other. However, they knew that outside their doors, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were patrolling their campus. Over that weekend, the Department of Homeland Security began a new initiative — “Operation Charlotte’s Web” — in the cities of Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. ICE had been present in the city for months, but monitoring levels and arrests increased when border patrol officers arrived in the city.
The initiative was meant to crack down on criminals living in the city but affected thousands of people including families, business owners and students. DHS has reported over 250 arrests of citizens and noncitizens across the state, creating an unsettling attitude within the community. Businesses have closed temporarily to protect their staff, placing signs in the windows that read “ICE is not welcome here.” This fear has also resonated in Charlotte’s universities and colleges. Over 30,000 students at the University of North Carolina protested the arrival of border patrol through their absence Nov. 17. Many students have reported anxiety over the official’s presence on campus, expressing fear to go out or attend class.
Universities are meant to be places of education, with respect for a peaceful exchange of ideas. Students step onto campus not only to grow in their professional goals but also to grow as individuals, trusting they will be free to develop and speak their opinions. This presence on campus felt like a betrayal of that trust, as thousands of students reported feeling anxious to leave their rooms. Campus authorities warned students to take precautions and keep immigration status documents on their person at all times.
Though “Operation Charlotte’s Web” has seemingly come to an end, the recent events are fresh in students’ minds. Are colleges really safe havens to grow intellectually and exchange ideas? Or do students now feel unsafe to voice their opinions in these spaces?
