As Trump expands immigration arrests into North Carolina, here's what to know

U.S. immigration agents carrying out an enforcement push in North Carolina's largest city have arrested more than 130 people and are now moving into an area around the state's capital city.

The immigration sweep that started in Charlotte over the weekend comes on the heels of similar operations in Los Angeles and Chicago, as crackdowns — and the threat of crackdowns — develop in cities nationwide.

It's the latest phase of Republican President Donald Trump 's mass deportation efforts that have sent the military and immigration agents into Democratic-run cities.

Here’s what to know:

The Department of Homeland Security says it's focusing on the southern state because of so-called sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between local authorities and immigration agents.

Most county jails in North Carolina have long helped federal officials by holding arrested immigrants so agents can take custody of them. But a few jails resisted until a state law effectively made it mandatory last year.

Politics could also be playing a role. The state's governor is a Democrat and so are the mayors of Charlotte and Raleigh, the state's two biggest cities.

So far, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency says more than 130 people have been arrested in Charlotte.

It says those arrested include people with criminal records. But the agency has offered few other details.

Charlotte has been in the middle of nationwide debates over crime and immigration, most notably after the fatal stabbing this summer of a Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train. While the suspect was from the U.S., the Trump administration repeatedly accused Democrats of backing soft-on-crime policies.

One of the nation's fastest growing regions, Charlotte alone has more than 150,000 foreign-born residents.

The mayor of Raleigh on Tuesday said there have been “confirmed sightings” of Border Patrol officers operating in the county that's home to the state’s capital city and some nearby cities.

Mayor Janet Cowell earlier said she doesn’t know how large or how long the operation might be, and immigration authorities haven’t given details. Like the mayor in Charlotte, Cowell says crime is lower in Raleigh this year compared to a year ago.

Republican leaders say the increased enforcement is needed to restore safety to Charlotte.

But the state’s governor, Democrat Josh Stein, says it's increasing fears and dividing residents. He says Border Patrol agents are picking up random people and targeting them based on their skin color.

Homeland Security leaders are preparing to send border agents into New Orleans and southeast Louisiana in just a few weeks, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and three people familiar with the operation.

The two-month immigration crackdown dubbed “Swamp Sweep” is expected to begin in earnest on Dec. 1.

Department officials declined to comment on the operation.

In Memphis, Tennessee, where National Guard troops have been patrolling neighborhoods and commercial areas since October, a judge this week blocked their deployment as part of Trump’s crime-fighting operation.

The judge, however, is giving the government five days to appeal. Democratic state and local officials sued to stop the deployment, saying it can only happen during civil unrest when there’s a rebellion or invasion.

U.S. Border Patrol Commander at large Gregory Bovino, right, looks on as a detainee sits by a car, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Protesters holds signs amidst the arrival of federal law enforcement, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Protestors set up outside of Manolo's Bakery amidst federal law enforcement, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

U.S. Border Patrol agents look on, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Saturday was presenting medals to the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees during an event in the Oval Office.

This year's recipients are actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the rock band Kiss and actor-singer Michael Crawford.

Trump ignored the Kennedy Center and its premier awards program during his first term as president. But the Republican instituted a series of changes since returning to office in January, most notably ousting its board of trustees and replacing them with GOP supporters who voted him in as chairman.

Trump also has criticized the center's programming and its physical appearance, and vowed to overhaul both.

The president will present a new medal that was designed, created and donated by jeweler Tiffany & Co., according to the Kennedy Center. It's a gold disc etched on one side with the Kennedy Center's image and rainbow colors. The honoree's name appears on the reverse side with the date of the ceremony. The medallion hangs from a navy blue ribbon and replaces a large rainbow ribbon decorated with three gold plates that rested on the honoree's shoulders and chest.

The president said in August that he was “about 98% involved” in choosing the 2025 honorees when he personally announced them at the Kennedy Center, the first slate chosen under his leadership. The honorees traditionally had been announced by press release.

It was unclear how they were chosen. Before Trump, it fell to a bipartisan selection committee.

Later Saturday, after the Oval Office event, Trump was scheduled to attend an annual State Department dinner for the honorees. In years past, the honorees would receive their medallions at the dinner but Trump has moved the ceremony to the White House.

Meanwhile, the glitzy Kennedy Center Honors program and its series of tribute performances for each recipient is set to be taped on Sunday at the performing arts center for broadcast later in December on CBS and Paramount+. Trump is to attend the program for the first time as president, accompanied by his wife, first lady Melania Trump.

The president said in August that he would host the show, but the White House has not characterized his level of participation. Presidents traditionally attend the program and sit with the honorees in the audience. None has ever served as host.

“I’ve been asked to host. I said, ‘I’m the president of the United States. Are you fools asking me to do that?'” Trump said back then. “And then Susie Wiles said to me, ‘Sir, I’d like you to host.' I said, OK, Susie, I’ll do it,” Trump said, referring to his White House chief of staff.

Trump spent several hours at the Kennedy Center on Friday. He participated in the FIFA World Cup draw for 2026 and accepted its inaugural peace prize. Trump also met in a group with the leaders of Canada and Mexico.

FILE - The Hall of Nations at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, Nov. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, file)

Kiss band member Gene Simmons speaks to members of the media at the White House, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

President Donald Trump speaks before a concert by Andrea Bocelli in the East Room of the White House walking towards the East Room, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)