Federal agents have descended on the North Carolina city as part of the Trump administration's growing crackdown on unauthorized immigration, according to authority reports.
The initiative, named "Charlotte's Web Operation", was disclosed on recently, with representatives stating that "undocumented criminals" would be targeted in the urban area.
"Federal authorities are sending immigration officers to this location to ensure Americans are safe and eliminate security risks," government authorities announced.
Local officials, including Mayor of Charlotte Li Vyles, issued a collective announcement opposing the initiative, saying it was causing "unnecessary fear and uncertainty" in the community.
Armoured vehicles and tactical squads could be deployed for the local crackdown, according to internal government documents.
Several church members working on grounds at a church in east Charlotte fled into woods when authorities descended, with an individual being taken into custody, according to reports.
"We believed the church was secure and nothing [was] gonna happen," a teenage observer told reporters.
Since the administration's continuation, national forces have been deployed to multiple cities including Washington DC, Los Angeles and Chicago to implement the commitment of "the largest deportation programme" in the nation's records.
The Department of Homeland Security said they are implementing the operation because local authorities has not respected the approximately 1,400 immigration agency persons held, meaning they had been released due to "local regulations".
The city is not a protective jurisdiction - cities that have policies in place to limit the assistance given to federal immigration authorities - but it is a "officially recognized inclusive community". This is a formal designation for cities that are dedicated to immigrant integration.
"Federal officials will step up to protect the public when municipal leaders won't," authorities declared.
Charlotte is an demographically mixed municipality, with about 17% of population being foreign-born, according to demographic data.
Federal authorities has not revealed how long the operations will persist. The Chicago operation, which commenced several months ago is continuing.
Earlier in the week, Democratic representative Alma Adams said she was informed of the initiative and was "deeply worried" about federal officers coming to North Carolina.
The next city on Trump's list is set to be New Orleans, according to information, and that as many as 200 agents could be dispatched to the area.
Operations in other municipalities like Chicago and Los Angeles have received backlash over concerns of excessive use of force.
Authorities said there are "multiple groups available to support individuals seeking legal guidance on immigration concerns".
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