DURHAM, N.C. — In the quiet streets of Northgate Park, where children play near rows of modest homes, a recent string of arrests by federal immigration officers has cast a shadow over the community.
On February 13, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) team detained 11 individuals in a targeted enforcement operation across Durham, including three men of Indian descent in the Northgate Park neighborhood. Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that those arrested are being held in a federal detention facility while awaiting deportation hearings.
For many in Durham’s immigrant communities, the arrests have reignited fears that had remained dormant in recent years. Rumors of checkpoints, workplace raids, and school surveillance have begun circulating, heightening anxiety among families—many of whom have lived in the area for decades.
A Climate of Fear
María, a Mexican immigrant who has lived in Durham for more than 18 years, said she and her husband have changed their daily routines since the arrests. They now take different routes to work, avoid large gatherings, and have even considered selling their home to move to a more rural area where they feel less exposed.
“My husband and I have worked here for years, we have raised our children here,” she said in Spanish. “But we are always looking over our shoulder now. We don’t know when they could come for us.”
Her 14-year-old son, who is a U.S. citizen, has stopped playing soccer at the neighborhood park out of fear that ICE agents might be watching.
“He says, ‘What if they take you while I’m at practice? Who will pick me up?’” María said. “I don’t know how to answer him.”
In the days following the arrests, reports of immigration enforcement spread rapidly across social media and messaging groups, though many remain unverified. Some residents claimed to have seen ICE agents near grocery stores, while others worried about raids at construction sites and restaurants where many undocumented workers are employed.
While federal officials say the operation was “targeted,” immigrant rights advocates argue that these arrests often sweep up individuals without criminal records. According to a 2023 study by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, nearly two-thirds of those detained in ICE operations nationwide had no prior convictions.
City Leaders Respond
At a recent Durham City Council meeting, Mayor Leonardo Williams addressed the concerns, reaffirming that local police would not assist in federal immigration enforcement.
“Once you walk in the borders of Durham, you are a Durhamite,” Williams said. “We are an embracing community, and we will continue to make sure our law enforcement is doing the job that they are tasked with—protecting and serving the people of Durham.”
Durham’s stance on immigration enforcement mirrors that of other cities that have resisted cooperation with federal agencies in such matters. Under North Carolina law, local law enforcement is not required to assist ICE, and Durham has historically maintained policies that limit collaboration.
Preparing for the Worst
Despite reassurances from local officials, some residents are taking steps to prepare for the possibility of detention or deportation.
José, who works in landscaping, has started keeping a small bag of personal belongings and legal documents near his front door in case he is taken into custody. His wife, Elena, has memorized the phone numbers of family members who could take in their two daughters, ages 6 and 9.
“If something happens to me, I want them to be okay,” José said. “We have already told them, ‘If we don’t come home one day, your uncle will pick you up from school.’ No child should have to hear that.”
Local advocacy groups, such as Siembra NC, have been holding meetings in immigrant neighborhoods, urging families to develop contingency plans. These include identifying trusted guardians for children, organizing legal documents, and securing financial resources in case a parent or primary breadwinner is detained.
Rosa, a community organizer with Siembra NC, said the level of concern is unlike anything she has seen before.
“People are hyper-focused on learning about their rights,” she said. “Before, we had to convince them to even talk to us. Now, they’re asking, ‘What do I need to do? How can I be ready?’”
Rosa, who immigrated from Mexico in 2006, has already made arrangements for her three children, all U.S. citizens, in case she is forced to leave the country.
“I tell them they shouldn’t worry, but of course they do,” she said. “They ask me, ‘What happens if you’re gone?’ And that’s a question I wish I didn’t have to answer.”
A Community on Edge
Durham is home to a growing immigrant population, including thousands of Hispanic and Indian residents who have contributed to the region’s economic and cultural landscape. Many have built lives, raised families, and established businesses in the area.
Carla, a single mother who owns a small cleaning business, said she has lost several clients in recent weeks because she no longer feels safe driving across town for work.
“I’ve lived here for so long, and I’ve never felt this way before,” she said. “But when you hear about people being taken from their homes, it makes you wonder—will I be next?”
Adding to the uncertainty, former President Donald Trump has vowed to reinstate strict immigration enforcement measures, including efforts to limit birthright citizenship. While legal challenges have stalled those plans, families like Carla’s are bracing for what may come next.
For now, many in Durham’s immigrant community are waiting—watching news reports, exchanging updates in group chats, and scanning their surroundings whenever they leave home.
“We don’t know if they’ll come back,” María said. “But we live every day wondering if they will.”
Stay Informed
For more in-depth reporting on this issue and other community news, visit the Bull City Citizen Newspaper. Stay up to date on local policies, law enforcement actions, and resources available for immigrant families in Durham.
