Advocacy organization El Centro Hispano has organized a fundraising campaign to help cover the legal fees for 10 individuals recently arrested by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in Orange County.

The ICE raids have sparked fear and anxiety among the immigrant community in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and across Orange County.

El Centro is hoping to raise $30,000 through a GoFundMe campaign that was launched late Thursday night.

Local elected officials have issued statements attempting to reassure the immigrant community that local police are not assisting ICE with the arrests in any way.

“We are deeply disturbed by the heightened fear and disruption to families that these raids have caused,” Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said in a release. “We want to be clear that the Chapel Hill Police Department did not and will not participate in these actions.”

Chapel Hill and Carrboro have been coordinating with El Centro in the wake of the arrests.

“I cannot adequately express how frightening this news must be for our neighbors who live in constant fear that these actions may happen on any given day in our town,” Carrboro Mayor Lyida Lavelle said in a release. “My heart hurts for our community.”

These arrests bring forward a “severe trepidation for many of our residents throughout Chapel Hill and Carrboro,” Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools superintendent Dr. Pam Baldwin said in a message to parents of students across the district on Friday morning.

“I want to emphasize – and I will stand on the roof and shout if necessary – that our schools are safe places for ALL children. If a child resides within the boundaries of our school district, then we will educate him or her. No questions will be asked about immigration status. All means all.”

Law enforcement officials across Orange County have a history of not prioritizing immigration status during law enforcement, including supporting the Faith ID initiative. The effort provides residents – undocumented and documented – with identification that is accepted by local police.

El Centro officials said they would be holding a Faith ID event, which will have a Know Your Rights seminar, at the Carrboro Century Center at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Local law enforcement and elected officials are expected to be in attendance on Saturday morning.

Related Stories
‹
ICE Arrests Causing Concern in Orange County Immigrant Community
Carrboro’s mayor is addressing concerns over ICE arrests being carried out in the town and throughout Orange County. Mayor Lydia Lavelle said in a release that it is believed Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials have “detained at least two Carrboro residents and at least four other county residents.” The first word of the arrests came […]
Orange County Officials Attempt to Reassure at El Centro Hispano Event After ICE Raids
That’s what Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger said on WCHL last week after agents with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detained several Orange County residents. “We don’t get advanced notice; we don’t know why they’re here…we do not support this; we do not participate in this.” Hemminger said there are still many […]
Cold Front To Bring Frozen Precipitation
National Weather Service Senior Forecaster Scott Sharp says once the cold front moves through the Triangle between 7:00 and 7:30 Monday morning, we should expect rain to switch to sleet at about midday.
Checking In With Your Community
Duke Energy Spokesperson Megan Musgrave https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20duke%20MEGAN%20MUSGRAVE%20edited.mp3 Chapel Hill Transit Director Brian Litchfield https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%202%20BRIAN%20LITCHFIELD%20edited.mp3 Orange County Public Affairs Director Carla Banks https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20CARLA%20BANKS%20edited.mp3 Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20CHRIS%20BLUE%20edited.mp3 Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20LYDIA%20LAVELLE%20edited.mp3 Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20TOM%20STEVENS%20edited.mp3 Carrboro Police Chief Walter Horton https://chapelboroaudio.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/02/13/snow%20update%20WALTER%20HORTON%20edited.mp3
Celebration of Independence Day to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what typical services will and won’t be happening during the weekend: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3, as […]
Drone Shows and Parades: Here's What to Know Before Orange County's July 4 Celebrations
A variety of July 4 festivities are set to take place across Orange County. Here's how local governments are celebrating.
Juneteenth Holiday to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County
Across the country on Friday, Black Americans and communities will celebrate Juneteenth — the national recognition of when the final slaves were freed in the 19th century and of African-American culture. As a holiday, government services around the Orange County community will be affected on June 19 and the surrounding days. Here’s what residents can […]
Garbage Collection, Local Transit and More: How Memorial Day Will Impact Local Services
The observation of Memorial Day Monday, May 25 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Memorial Day is an official town holiday. Most town and other administrative offices will be closed. Residential trash will not be collected on Monday, with the make-up day […]
Local Government Meetings: February 9-13, 2025
This week in local government: residents in Chatham County push back against Flock license-plate cameras and AI data centers.
Orange County Communities to Observe Martin Luther King Day Jan. 19. Here's How it Affects Services.
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Most town offices will be closed Monday. Residential trash normally collected Monday will be collected Wednesday, Jan. 21. Curbside recycling collection will […]
›