Key Takeaways
• ICE increased enforcement in Charlotte since January 2025, causing fear in Latino communities and affecting local businesses.
• Latino-owned shops like Manolo’s Bakery report drastic drops in sales and layoffs due to reduced customer activity.
• Operations near schools and churches sparked protests, with leaders urging protections and community trust rebuilding.
Charlotte’s Latino Business Owners Face Crisis as ICE Activity Surges
In May 2025, Latino business owners in Charlotte are facing a crisis. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stepped up its operations across the city, leading to a sharp drop in customers and sales for many Latino-owned businesses. The fear of being detained or deported has spread quickly, keeping families at home and away from local shops, restaurants, and services. This situation is not just hurting business owners—it’s affecting workers, families, and the entire Charlotte community.
ICE Operations Spark Widespread Fear in Charlotte
The recent surge in ICE activity began after President Trump took office in January 2025, following campaign promises of mass deportations and stricter immigration enforcement. Since then, ICE has carried out multiple operations in east, west, and south Charlotte, as well as nearby towns like Concord and Monroe. The agency has confirmed a “larger immigration enforcement operation” is underway, but has refused to share details about its scope, targets, or how long it will last.
One incident that shook the community happened on May 13, when ICE agents detained a man while he was dropping his child off at Charlotte East Language Academy. Just a week later, on May 20, armed ICE agents entered Central United Methodist Church in east Charlotte and detained another individual. These actions have drawn strong criticism from community leaders and advocates, especially since schools and churches are seen as safe spaces for families.
Latino Business Owners See Fewer Customers and Sales
For Latino business owners in Charlotte, the impact has been immediate and severe. Manolo Betancur, who owns Manolo’s Bakery in east Charlotte, describes the situation as “worse than COVID.” He says his parking lot is empty, large cake orders have disappeared, and he’s had to lay off three employees and cut hours for others. In past years, the bakery would receive several large cake orders each month, each worth $400 to $1,000. So far in 2025, there have been none.
Other business owners, like Carolina Escobar, are facing similar problems. They report that customers are afraid to leave their homes, even for essential needs. Many families are skipping birthday parties, church events, and other gatherings that would normally bring people into local businesses. The fear of ICE raids is so strong that some parents are even keeping their children home from school.
Why Are People So Afraid?
The main reason for this fear is the lack of information and transparency from ICE. The agency rarely gives advance notice about its operations, and local officials often find out about raids only after they happen. This uncertainty makes it hard for families to know when or where it’s safe to go out.
Here’s what typically happens during an ICE operation:
1. Surveillance and Targeting: ICE agents watch certain locations and identify people they want to detain. Sometimes, this happens near sensitive places like schools or churches.
2. Detention: Agents detain individuals, often without warning. This can happen during everyday activities, such as dropping off children at school.
3. Lack of Communication: ICE does not usually inform local officials, schools, or the public before acting. This leads to confusion and panic.
4. Community Response: After a raid, local groups, schools, and advocates may hold events or offer support to affected families.
Because ICE does not share details about who they are targeting or when they will act, many people feel that anyone could be next. This fear keeps people at home, away from work, school, and local businesses.
The Economic Toll: Businesses and Workers Suffer
The economic impact of these ICE operations is being felt across Charlotte. Jackie Benson, an economist at Wells Fargo, explains that increased ICE activity hurts both consumer demand and the local workforce. When people are afraid to go out, they spend less money at stores and restaurants. At the same time, many workers are staying home or leaving their jobs, which means businesses have fewer employees to serve customers.
- Manolo’s Bakery has seen a complete collapse in large orders and has had to lay off staff.
- Other Latino-owned businesses in east Charlotte report similar drops in sales and foot traffic.
- Workers are losing hours or jobs, making it even harder for families to pay bills and support themselves.
This “chilling effect” is not limited to Latino businesses. When one part of the community suffers, the whole local economy feels the impact. Fewer customers mean less money circulating in Charlotte, which can lead to more layoffs and business closures.
Schools and Churches: No Longer Safe Havens?
The recent ICE operations near schools and churches have caused special concern. On May 13, ICE detained a man while he was taking his child to school. On May 20, agents entered Central United Methodist Church, a well-known community hub, and detained another person. These actions have led to strong reactions from local leaders:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Board Chair Stephanie Sneed and Board Member Liz Monterrey have called for schools to remain safe and supportive for all students, no matter their immigration status.
- North Carolina House Rep. Jordan Lopez condemned ICE’s arrest near a school and urged CMS to take steps to protect students.
- Community advocates argue that targeting people near schools and churches creates trauma and destroys trust in both federal and local institutions.
Many families now feel that there are no truly safe spaces in Charlotte. Some parents are keeping their children home from school, while others are avoiding church events and community gatherings.
Law Enforcement Tries to Rebuild Trust
In response to growing fear and distrust, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden and the Latin American Coalition held a public safety event on May 28, 2025. The goal was to build trust with the Latino community and answer questions about law enforcement and ICE activity. While these efforts are a step in the right direction, many community members remain skeptical. They worry that local law enforcement cannot protect them from federal immigration agents.
The Role of Advocacy Groups
Local advocacy groups, such as the Latin American Coalition, have a long history of supporting families during ICE crackdowns. They provide legal help, financial support, and emotional care for those affected by raids. These organizations also work to inform the community about their rights and how to stay safe during ICE operations.
Community organizing has become even more important as ICE activity increases. Advocates are calling on the broader Charlotte community to support immigrant-owned businesses and push for greater transparency and protection from local and state officials.
Policy and Political Background
The current wave of ICE enforcement in Charlotte follows a shift in federal policy after President Trump took office in January 2025. His administration has made stricter immigration enforcement a top priority, promising mass deportations and more aggressive action by ICE. This has led to a sharp increase in detentions and a climate of fear in many immigrant communities.
Charlotte’s Latino community has faced ICE raids before, but business owners say this is the most severe crackdown in years. The lack of clear information from ICE and the targeting of sensitive locations have made the situation especially difficult.
What’s Next for Charlotte’s Latino Businesses?
As of the end of May 2025, there is no sign that ICE will slow down its operations in Charlotte. The agency has not said when the current enforcement surge will end, leaving business owners and families in a state of ongoing anxiety. Local and state officials are under pressure to create policies that limit ICE’s ability to operate near schools, churches, and other sensitive sites, but no concrete steps have been announced yet.
Business owners like Manolo Betancur and Carolina Escobar are urging the community to support Latino businesses during this difficult time. They are also calling for more transparency from ICE and stronger protections from local government.
The Broader Impact: Community and Economic Ripple Effects
The effects of ICE operations go far beyond individual businesses. When people are afraid to go out, the whole community suffers:
- Reduced Consumer Spending: Families spend less money at local stores, restaurants, and service providers.
- Workforce Shortages: Businesses struggle to find and keep workers, leading to reduced hours and layoffs.
- School Attendance Drops: Some parents keep children home, worried about ICE activity near schools.
- Loss of Community Trust: Fear and uncertainty make it harder for people to trust local institutions, including law enforcement and schools.
Economists warn that if this trend continues, the economic damage could spread throughout Charlotte, affecting not just Latino business owners but the entire city.
What Can Community Members Do?
There are several ways people in Charlotte can help support Latino business owners and families affected by ICE operations:
- Shop at Latino-owned businesses: Even small purchases can make a big difference.
- Attend community events: Show support and solidarity with immigrant families.
- Contact local officials: Urge them to protect sensitive sites like schools and churches from ICE activity.
- Share reliable information: Help spread the word about community resources and legal rights.
Official Resources for Information and Support
For those seeking more information or support, several official resources are available:
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): For official statements and updates on enforcement activity, visit the ICE website.
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS): For school policies and support services, visit the CMS official website.
- Latin American Coalition: Offers legal, financial, and emotional support for affected families. Contact them through their website.
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office: For information on public safety events and outreach, visit the sheriff’s official site.
The Path Forward: Community Resilience and Advocacy
Despite the challenges, Charlotte’s Latino business owners and community leaders are not giving up. They are working together to support each other, keep businesses open, and push for changes that will make the city safer for everyone. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the current crisis highlights the need for greater transparency from ICE and stronger protections for immigrant families.
The situation in Charlotte is a reminder that immigration enforcement policies have real, immediate effects on people’s lives. Business owners, workers, families, and the entire community are feeling the impact of ICE operations. By coming together and supporting one another, Charlotte can begin to heal and rebuild trust.
Actionable Takeaways
- If you are a business owner: Stay informed about your rights and connect with local advocacy groups for support.
- If you are a community member: Support Latino-owned businesses and speak out for policies that protect all residents.
- If you are a local official: Listen to the concerns of business owners and families, and work to create safe spaces in schools and churches.
- For everyone: Stay updated through official sources like the ICE website and local organizations.
The future remains uncertain, but with continued advocacy and community support, Charlotte’s Latino business owners can weather this storm and continue to contribute to the city’s vibrant economy and culture.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for immigration enforcement and deportations.
Detention → The act of holding someone in custody, often by immigration authorities.
Latino Business Owners → Entrepreneurs of Latino descent who run local shops, restaurants, or services.
Surveillance → Monitoring activities or locations to identify targets for enforcement actions.
Chilling Effect → Behavior change due to fear of negative consequences, reducing community participation or economic activity.
This Article in a Nutshell
Charlotte’s Latino business owners face unprecedented hardship as ICE enforcement surges in 2025. Fear of raids keeps customers home, damaging sales, workforce, and community trust, especially near schools and churches. Advocates call for more transparency and protections to support businesses and immigrant families amid ongoing uncertainty.
— By VisaVerge.com
