On November 14, 2025, protests against immigration enforcement escalated in both Chicago and Charlotte, reflecting growing tensions surrounding federal operations targeting immigrant communities.

In Broadview, a suburb of Chicago, a demonstration outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center began peacefully but soon led to confrontations with law enforcement. Protesters, including faith leaders, gathered for a morning event that featured prayer and song. However, as some participants moved beyond designated protest areas, tensions rose, resulting in the use of a taser by police, which caused at least one individual to fall to the ground. Illinois State Police intervened, pushing protesters back behind barricades, and 21 individuals were arrested, including clergy members. The protest highlighted ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement and the role of law enforcement in managing public demonstrations.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, local officials and community leaders expressed strong opposition to anticipated federal immigration enforcement operations, which they characterized as an invasion. Sheriff Garry McFadden confirmed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are expected to begin operations in the city, although details from the Department of Homeland Security remain unclear. Local leaders, including Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, voiced concerns over the potential for aggressive enforcement tactics, citing past incidents of excessive force used by federal agents in other cities. In response, community organizations are training volunteers to document federal actions and educate immigrants about their rights.

Charlotte's demographic composition includes a significant immigrant population, with estimates suggesting over 150,000 foreign-born residents. Local leaders criticized the Trump administration's approach to immigration enforcement, describing it as a politically motivated campaign that exacerbates fear and division within communities. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department clarified that it does not enforce federal immigration laws and is not involved in planning such operations.

These protests are occurring against the backdrop of a recent federal court ruling that ordered the release of detainees from the Broadview facility, citing a pattern of unlawful arrests and confinement. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings criticized the Department of Homeland Security for maintaining detainees in unsafe conditions, which may lead to one of the largest single-day releases of ICE detainees in Illinois in recent years. This legal challenge is part of a broader response to the Trump administration's Operation Midway Blitz, which targets individuals deemed as criminal illegal aliens.

As protests continue in both cities, community leaders emphasize the importance of peaceful action and the need for transparency regarding immigration enforcement practices.