More than 100 people have been arrested in recent days as large immigration raids take place across Charlotte. The events have caused fear in many neighborhoods and sparked protests. People have seen agents near homes, churches, parking lots, and local stores. Many were surprised to see so many federal agents in a city far from any international border. The effort is being called Operation Charlotte’s Web by the agency. Greg Bovino, a senior figure known for strong enforcement actions in other cities, has been leading the operation. Charlotte residents saw him move through the city with teams of agents. He also posted online to promote the operation and praised the work of his teams. The governor of North Carolina said the raids only spread fear and division. Many locals have asked why these agents are in the city and what powers they legally have. Border Patrol is one of the largest law enforcement branches in the country. It operates within the Department of Homeland Security. The agency has about 60,000 agents. For many years, most of its work took place near the border with Mexico. Raids far inland were rare, and agents were usually seen only in specific border regions. That pattern has changed during the current administration. Large teams have become active in major cities far from any border and have taken part in the wider push for mass deportations. A key part of the discussion is what the law allows. A federal statute created in 1946 gives Border Patrol the power to act within a reasonable distance from any international boundary. The law defines that distance as up to 100 miles from borders and coastlines. This wide zone covers most of the country’s major cities. Cities on the Great Lakes, including Chicago, also fall inside the zone because those lakes are treated as maritime borders. About two-thirds of the US population lives in this 100-mile range. Charlotte is well outside this range. This raises questions about what the agents can and cannot legally do. Legal experts say that Border Patrol has extra powers inside the 100-mile zone. Agents in that area can stop cars at checkpoints without suspicion and board buses for immigration checks. These powers do not apply outside the zone. Once agents operate beyond the 100-mile limit, they must follow the same rules as other law enforcement officers anywhere in the country. Experts say they cannot stop people at random or detain them without cause. They need clear and specific reasons to question or arrest someone. They cannot set up checkpoints or hold people without a legal basis. Any operation in Charlotte must follow these rules. Legal scholars say the community should watch closely to ensure these rules are followed. The agent leading the operation has become a well-known figure. Bovino served in southern California for most of his career. His recent work in large cities has drawn attention because he often posts videos showing arrests and raids. His tactics have raised concerns. Some past operations faced lawsuits after complaints about force used during raids. A judge recently ordered him to give regular updates in court about his work to increase oversight. The same court told him to use a body camera and complete new training. Reports have also linked earlier raids under his watch to the deaths of two people who tried to flee. The Department of Homeland Security says that agents have the legal authority to work anywhere in the United States when enforcing immigration laws. Leaders say that this helps them target smugglers, track suspects, and continue investigations that start near the borders. They say this flexibility is important so that people who avoid detection at the border can still be found later. Some lawyers and human rights groups disagree with the wide use of these teams in big cities. They say Border Patrol agents are trained to stop illegal crossings and fight smuggling near the border. They argue that this skill set does not always match the needs of urban enforcement. They warn that the agency has a long record of strong and sometimes aggressive actions. They fear that the same approach may be used in cities where many people may feel unsafe or confused about their rights. The presence of the agents in Charlotte has raised national questions about the reach of immigration enforcement inside the country. Many residents hope for clear rules and more public information so they can understand what officers can legally do and what rights people have when they encounter them.