Federal officers have come on Charlotte, North Carolina, as part of President Donald Trump’s escalating crackdown on illegal immigration, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

It announced “Operation Charlotte’s Web” on Saturday, stating that “criminal illegal aliens” will be targeted in the Democratic-controlled city.

Local leaders, including Charlotte Mayor Li Vyles, issued a joint statement criticizing the operation, claiming it was spreading “unnecessary fear and uncertainty” in the community.

Since taking office, Trump has sent troops to Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago to carry out his vow of “the largest deportation programme” in US history.

“We are deploying DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans’ safety and remove public safety threats,” stated DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

According to internal government papers, the North Charlotte sweep may include armored vehicles and special operations teams.

Several church members performing yard work at a church in east Charlotte escaped into the woods as authorities arrived and apprehended one man, according to The Charlotte Observer, citing the pastor.

“We thought church was safe and nothing [was] gonna happen,” a 15-year-old witness told the newspaper.

Officials have confirmed that there are “a number of organisations standing ready to assist individuals seeking legal guidance on immigration matters” .

The DHS stated that the operation is being carried out because North Carolina has not honored the almost 1,400 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees, implying that they were freed owing to “sanctuary policies”.

Charlotte is not a sanctuary city, which are cities that have regulations in place to limit the help provided to federal immigration officials, but it is a “certified welcoming city”. This is an official classification for cities that support immigration inclusion.

“President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t,” according to the DHS.

Charlotte is an ethnically diverse city, with approximately 17% of residents born outside of the country, according to Data US.

DHS has not stated how long the raids will last. Chicago’s crackdown, which began in September, is still ongoing.

Earlier this week, US Representative and Democrat Alma Adams said she was told of the operation and was “extremely concerned” about Border Patrol and ICE personnel going to North Carolina.

According to CBS, the next city on Trump’s list will be New Orleans, with up to 200 agents potentially deployed there.

Previous operations in cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles have been criticized for using excessive force.