• Federal immigration operation known as "Operation Charlotte's Web" has concluded.
• Over 250 arrests were made during the crackdown, causing local protests.
• Charlotte Mayor expressed relief over the end of operations impacting the community.
• A significant chilling effect on immigrant neighborhoods was reported, with school attendance dropping.
• ICE operations will continue despite the end of Border Patrol activities.

A federal immigration operation targeting undocumented migrants in Charlotte, North Carolina, has officially ended. Over a five-day period, the U.S. Border Patrol, as part of "Operation Charlotte's Web," arrested more than 250 individuals, including gang members and others with criminal records, according to BBC and CBS News.

Local officials, including Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, confirmed the end of the operation on Thursday, stating no further U.S. Border Patrol activities would occur that day. However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will continue its operations in the area as usual, which has raised concerns among residents already affected by the crackdown, as reported by Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

The operation sparked protests from local residents who condemned the aggressive tactics used by federal agents. Students from East Mecklenburg High School and others staged walkouts to voice their opposition. As the operation unfolded, many businesses temporarily closed to shield employees and customers from potential raids, demonstrating profound community disruption, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

Local lawmakers, including Charlotte's Mayor Vi Lyles, expressed relief over the conclusion of the operation, emphasizing the need for community unity. She criticized the federal tactics that led to heightened fear in immigrant neighborhoods and a drop in school attendance, reportedly by almost 15 percent, due to both the presence of border agents and protests, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

As the focus shifts to New Orleans for the next phase of enforcement, dubbed "Swamp Sweep," concerns persist over the treatment of undocumented migrants and the effectiveness of such operations amidst criticisms of human rights violations, as reported by Al Jazeera and CBS News.