NBC’s immigration roundup from Charlotte, North Carolina is notable for what it shows, and what it doesn’t show. The report by Julia Ainsley cobbles together several victim stories and, most notably, promotes an ICE-spotting seminar at a local church.
Watch the report in its entirety below, as aired on NBC Nightly News on Wednesday,
TOM LLAMAS: Okay, now to the Trump administration ramping up its immigration crackdown in Charlotte, where we're about to show you some dramatic video showing people running from federal agents. Border Patrol now says it's arrested more than 250 people there. Julia Ainsley reports tonight from Charlotte.
JULIA AINSLEY: Tonight, chaotic scenes like this playing out across Charlotte. This surveillance video capturing people fleeing a laundromat as federal agents arrived. A man texted his family this video shot inside a Border Patrol van to let them know he'd been detained. Another man wrestled to the ground inside a fast food restaurant under construction. Border Patrol says it has arrested more than 250 people five days into its immigration crackdown here.
WITNESS: He’s breaking the window. He's got an assault rifle pointed at her.
AINSLEY: It's unclear how many of those people have criminal records. This woman, a legal permanent resident, said she was questioned by Border Patrol and asked for her papers at the bank.
The target was to go after criminals, and they are not doing that. They are after good people. (VIDEO SWIPE) My legs were shaking, and I had documents, she tells us. Many in Charlotte’s Hispanic community say they're scared to leave their homes.
ERIKA REYNOSA: People are just staying home- even to do groceries. (VIDEO SWIPE) They're locked in for their own safety.
AINSLEY: One man at her church says he's afraid to leave his home for life-saving kidney dialysis, she tells us. Some North Carolinians welcoming the enforcement. Renee White drove more than two hours to show her support for immigration agents.
RENEE WHITE: I was able to pick up a couple dozen donuts and some coffee and to let them know that I supported them. (VIDEO SWIPE) I totally support what they're doing in Charlotte.
AINSLEY: Is this what you voted for?
WHITE: Yup. I voted for it in 2016. I voted for it in 2020, and I voted for it in 2024.
AINSLEY: More than 1000 people have signed up to come to this church tonight to learn how they can help immigrants spot Border Patrol in their community. Tom?
LLAMAS: Okay, Julia, thank you.
