ICE is in North Carolina
As many of you know, 200 agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) moved into Charlotte this past weekend, and 300 more are expected this week. In addition to Charlotte, they are now in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Gastonia, Winston-Salem, and other areas and plan to be here until December 6th.
North Carolina is home to just over 1M immigrants or 9.3% of our population. Here in Burke County, they make up nearly 15% of the population. Immigrants contribute $11.4 billion annually in state taxes and $33.7 billion to the state’s economy.
How you can help in
Burke County
Call or text Siembra NC, a powerful grassroots organization defending our immigrant community across NC, if you spot ICE operating in your area. Their number is 336.543.0353.
Follow the OJO website. With community input, Siembra NC monitors all ICE actions and movements on the OJO website.
Contact Hands of Hope or 828.600.9393, to let their network know of sightings in your area. Also, you can donate food, non-perishables, and household essentials.
In the United States, EVERYONE, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to certain protections under the Constitution. These include:
The Fourth Amendment protects people and their property from unreasonable or unjustified searches, requiring probable cause and search warrants.
The Fifth Amendment protects people from self-incrimination, meaning that detained individuals cannot be required to speak.
A violation of either would directly infringe on your constitutional rights. However, even if your rights are being violated, it is important not to resist officers or agents, as this could escalate the situation.
If you are an observer of an attempted ICE raid or arrest, you have the right to film and record federal law enforcement’s actions in public areas and private ones where you are granted access. Keep at least 25 feet from the incident to not directly interfere with their actions, or you could face an obstruction of justice charge.
DemocracyNC recommends following the SALUTE guide when observing ICE for specific details.
Size, or the number of agents and vehicles.
Activity, or what the agents are specifically doing.
Location, including specific addresses or intersections.
Uniform, or what the agents are wearing.
Time, including the date of the incident.
Equipment, including types of vehicles, weapons, or tools.
The ACLU of North Carolina also offers an FAQ page about immigrants’ rights if approached by federal law enforcement.
Lastly, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center has put together “Red Cards”, also known as “Know Your Rights” cards, with information on how to protect your rights when encountering ICE agents. Translated versions are available in multiple languages and are designed to help individuals understand their rights when interacting with immigration officers.
Indivisible Burke NC is a nonpartisan, nonviolent, action-oriented grassroots organization dedicated to building real democracy—of, by, and for all people.
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Indivisible Burke NC was formed in early 2025 and is one of thousands of Indivisible groups nationwide working in a nonpartisan way to strengthen our communities and our democracy. We are a grassroots group of volunteers who believe that hope and service are more powerful than hate and politics.
Our Principles:
We firmly hold that 'We the People' means everyone in our communities, and that diversity is our country's greatest strength. We believe that all people deserve rights and opportunities.
Non-violence is our ethos. It is not just a moral stance. It is a strategic, principled, grounded form of constructive action.
We believe in action and service. Democracy is a work in progress that requires us to show up, hold our leaders accountable, and support one another, our rule of law, and our principles.
