Immigration agents present in Durham, mayor expresses frustration

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams confirmed the presence of Border Patrol agents in the city after WRAL News received multiple viewer-submitted pictures and videos of the operations.

Federal immigration agents are on the ground in Raleigh and plan to conduct operations in the area Tuesday, according to Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell.

The National Immigrant Justice Center published a list of things people can do to protect themselves and defend their rights if approached by an immigration agent.

2:15 p.m. - U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina, posted a statement on Tuesday.

“Deploying CBP [Customs and Border Protection] to major American cities doesn’t make us safer," Ross wrote. "Indiscriminate immigration raids are useful for sowing fear and generating headlines, but totally ineffective at protecting us from criminals and terrorists.

"When the Trump administration spends money and manpower to randomly sweep people off the streets and target people based on the color of their skin, more felons go free, and there are fewer resources available to combat real threats.

“If reports are true that CBP is in Raleigh, I will work with state and local partners to protect our residents from violations of their rights by federal immigration officers. It’s time for CBP to go home and stop attacking our communities.”

1:45 p.m. - WRAL News has received pictures and videos from viewers showing immigration agents in Durham.

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams confirmed the presence of Border Patrol in the city.

"Residents have been sending content and posting it online," Williams wrote in a text message to WRAL News. "It's extremely frustrating because we are so limited.

"An outright jurisdictional disadvantage."

12:55 p.m. - A U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Border Patrol agents have arrested more than 200 immigrants in the Charlotte area who are believed to be in the U.S. illegally in the first three days of "Operation Charlotte's Web."

"Criminal records of those arrested include known gang membership, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, felony larceny, simple assault, hit and run, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, DUI, DWI and illegal re-entry after prior deportation, a felony,” the spokesperson said.

12:30 p.m. - Petey Pablo, who is from Greenville, released a statement about Border Patrol operations in North Carolina.

Border Patrol used Pablo's song "Raise Up" in its video on operations in Charlotte.

"I have my legal team on it as we speak," Pablo wrote in a statement. "They do not have my permission and I think it is appalling especially what they're doing to the children.

"I do not stand with this by [any] means, and we are engaged with taking legal actions."

12:25 p.m. - Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert released a statement on Tuesday, saying the town is aware of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] conducting operations in the Triangle area.

Gilbert said the federal activities are not coordinated in partnership with the town. He also said Apex police do not participate in federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Also, he said the town did not receive advance notice or detailed information about the scope and timing of ICE's efforts.

"As mayor, I want every resident in the town of Apex to know that our officers are here to protect and support this community," Gilbert wrote. "We remain committed to ensuring that all our neighbors feel safe accessing town services, reporting emergencies and engaging with our officers with trust.

"We are here to serve, and my commitment to safety, support and compassion remains."

12:20 p.m. - Wake County Public School System Superintendent Robert Taylor provided a message (to) parents.

"We understand that recent developments regarding federal immigration orders may create questions and anxiety within our community," Taylor's statement reads in part.

Taylor added, "Please know that our commitment to you is unwavering. Our primary mission is, and always will be, to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment for every single child, regardless of immigration status. We want all staff and families to feel secure in knowing that we are dedicated to protecting the privacy and rights of all our students, and we are legally required to enroll and educate all children residing within our boundaries."

The district also encouraged for families to communicate directly to the child's teacher and school if a student needs to be absent.

"Sharing the reason for the absence - whether it’s illness, a family matter, or simply feeling worried - helps us understand how to best support your child," the district's statement reads.

KEK

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>>23870904

>Immigration agents present in Durham, mayor expresses frustration

SAUCE:

https://www.wral.com/news/local/federal-immigration-agents-operations-raleigh-nov-2025/

New Yorkers turning to the church, number of Catholic converts soaring, according to priests

https://nypost.com/2025/11/16/lifestyle/new-yorkers-turning-to-the-church-number-of-catholic-converts-soaring-priests-say

Young people come to New York City to chase careers, materialism and pleasure. The pursuit of faith isn’t exactly on the Big Apple checklist.

However, at a recent, very crowded Sunday night mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village, Father Jonah Teller, OP made a simple announcement indicating that times are changing.

According to Teller, the number enrolled in the parish’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — the process in which adults convert to Catholicism — had tripled since last year, with roughly 130 people signing up.

There’s a similar story at St. Vincent Ferrer on the Upper East Side, where their OCIA numbers have doubled since last year, swelling to nearly 90 people.

At the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, they’ve also doubled their head count with about 100 people. Their Sunday 7pm mass has become overcrowded.

“We’re out of space and exploring adding more masses,” Father Daniel Ray told The Post.

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, they’ve also seen a surge. In 2024, they had 538 adults enter the church, nearly twice the amount of 2023. (All priests acknowledge some will drop off before the Easter Vigil, but they still expect numbers to remain high).

Since activist Charlie Kirk, an evangelical Protestant, was assassinated in September, there’s been reports that mass attendance is way up. And over the last year, Catholic churches across the country have cited more conversions among young people.

But such a large number of people seeking faith in uber secular New York City is remarkable.

“We’ve got a real booming thing happening here, and it’s not because of some marketing campaign,” said Ray.

However, in an unstable and fractured world, the promise of strength, love and community is a pretty good pitch.

“My generation is watching things fall apart,” Kiegan Lenihan, who is in OCIA at St. Joseph’s told The Post. “When things all seem to be going wrong in greater society, maybe organized religion isn’t that bad.”

Indeed, the crop of converts — most of whom have no experience with formal faith, cited a variety of cultural forces pushing them toward the church.

Some are looking for balance and meaning in a chaotic, polarized world where politics has become a stand in for real faith. In fact, a few cited Kirk’s murder. Many are high achievers unfulfilled by success.

“Materially, we have everything at our fingertips, and it’s not reaching our hearts,” said Teller, a charismatic teacher who is often cited by OCIA students as a draw.