CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Demonstrators in North Carolina gathered at some area hotel chains said to be housing Border Patrol agents in protest of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.
Protestors said they’ve seen Border Patrol agents coming in and out of a Hilton hotel in Charlotte the past few days. It’s why they wanted to stand outside the hotel and let their voices be heard.
“It hurts because my family is Hispanic, and coming from people who are immigrants, it’s really hard to see people be scared,” said Maria Bautista, who was at the protest.
Bautista is one of more than a dozen people who stood on the street corner in front of the hotel Wednesday evening. It’s one of several protests that’ve happened across the city in the past few days, during a federal immigration sweep where agents have arrested more than 250 people.
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino told FOX News his team is looking for specific people.
“As we go after those target packages, we come into contact with other illegal aliens,” he said. “We call those collaterals. And amongst those collaterals, we’re seeing a very large percentage. Of criminal illegal aliens, sometimes 66% of those collaterals have significant criminal and or immigration histories.”
Some of his agents carrying out the so-called “Operation Charlotte’s Web” are reportedly staying at the Hilton, which is what brought protestors in support of the immigrant community to the hotel.
“They’re in fear of their life and it’s very sad to see a whole community shut down because of fear,” said Emma Biggs, who organized the protest.
While chanting and carrying signs, some shared stories of how people they know have been affected, like Biggs, who’s a preschool director.
“One of our children actually got flown back home to Mexico,” she said.
Others were moved to participate because of the number of absences within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which neared 30,000 earlier this week.
“I’m becoming a school teacher right now, and what you’re seeing in the schools is kids are too afraid to come in,” said Aaron Whitrock, a protester. “Parents are afraid to drop them off. But I think the whole point is, this isn’t enforcing the law.”
Protestors planned to be outside the local Manolo’s Bakery on Thursday night, where the owner has chosen to close his shop to protect his customers.
NewsNation affiliate WJZY reached out to Hilton for a statement. A company spokesperson said this particular hotel is independently owned and operated.