November 14, 2025 – News Briefs

Charlotte in the Crosshairs: Trump Plans New Immigration Raids in North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina, appears to be the next target of the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdowns. According to Sheriff Garry McFadden, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents could begin operations in the city as early as this weekend, confirmed by two federal officials whose names were not disclosed. Official details remain scarce, and the Department of Homeland Security has declined to comment on any potential actions. Charlotte, a Democratic-led city with roughly 150,000 foreign-born residents, is preparing for the raids. City leaders, activists, and local organizations are building emergency support networks, sharing information about legal rights, and warning residents about plainclothes federal agents. The move follows the aggressive “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, where more than 3,200 people were arrested. Concerns about family separation and the disruption of long-standing communities are growing – even local festivals have been canceled amid fears of enforcement sweeps.

High-Stakes F-35 Deal Sparks Fears of Chinese Access via Saudi Arabia

A Pentagon intelligence report warns that China could gain access to advanced F-35 technology through its expanding security ties with Saudi Arabia, as the Trump administration moves toward a sale of 48 jets. Ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s meeting with President Trump, U.S. officials also fear the deal could erode Israel’s long-protected military edge. Riyadh’s push for U.S. support for a civilian nuclear program adds further proliferation concerns. The debate echoes the collapsed F-35 agreement with the U.A.E., derailed over similar worries about Chinese penetration.