Shifting Ground

Navigating the impact of policy and funding changes in Charlotte

By: Jim Morrill

Outlets: Charlotte Journalism Collaborative

Published: December 10, 2025

Words: 2,892

Last Updated: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

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When scores of masked federal agents swarmed into Charlotte last month, veteran journalist Rafael Prieto was shocked by what he saw.

Armed men snatched immigrants from front yards, parking lots and work sites, pulled them from cars and threw some to the ground. Anxiety spiked for many of Mecklenburg County’s 175,000 Hispanic residents. Businesses closed. Students stayed home. People who needed medical help were afraid to get it.

Prieto, 71, a naturalized citizen …

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