Editor’s note: The names of sources used in this article have been removed for safety reasons and full anonymity has been granted, per The Appalachian’s interim policy.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived in North Carolina last weekend. Since then, the Department of Homeland Security has launched Operation Charlotte’s Web, applying tactics used in Los Angeles and Chicago in North Carolina’s largest city. Over 250 people have been arrested in Charlotte as a part of the operation.
Tuesday morning, unconfirmed reports began to spread that ICE had begun activity in Boone. Over social media, people shared “know your rights” infographics and photos of suspicious activity on campus and in town. Later in the day, the Immigrant Justice Coalition of Boone confirmed via Instagram that DHS agents were staying at hotels in Boone. The Town of Blowing Rock also confirmed a federal presence.
App State students and Boone community members began to gather around 4 p.m. on Blowing Rock Road near Walmart, where ICE was allegedly first sighted. Protestors brought signs with messages including “Nazis were just following orders too,” “Time to melt the ICE” and anti-fascist symbols. The approximately 135 demonstrators stayed until after sunset with chants of “F- – – Trump, F- – – ICE.”
“They came here thinking they wouldn’t be bothered,” said an App State student who immigrated to the United States as a child. “Boone is a small, southern, white, mountain town. We need to let them know they’ll be bothered anywhere they go.”
The organizer of the protest said he made no plans or directions for the people who showed up.
“I made a flyer this morning in about five minutes,” the organizer said. “Then I sent it in every group chat I was in. I did not expect this many people.”
The organizer was compelled to organize the protest because of his disagreement with ICE’s mass deportation tactics, which have drawn protests in other cities, including Los Angeles.
“What they do is disgusting and inhumane,” the organizer said. “And here in Boone, they’re not doing anything. It’s a rural area with low crime. That’s the number one conservative tactic: being tough on crime even when that crime doesn’t exist.”
One protestor came to the protest out of concern for immigrants lacking permanent legal status, who came to the U.S. for better opportunities.
“A lot of people are just here to work for better lives,” he said. “They shouldn’t have to be deported.”
Two Wilkes County-based contractors were at Jimmy John’s that evening after they got off work. From there, they had a view of the protest at its peak. The two disapproved of the protest’s motives and questioned whether it was necessary at all.
“We have laws in this country,” one said. “If you broke a law coming here, you should face consequences.”
The two men work in the construction industry, which has experienced turbulence as a result of nationwide ICE raids. One recounted a story he heard from his colleague who works in Charlotte of the panic that set in.
“They went to a construction site this morning and only a third of the staff was there,” he said. “Yesterday, it was five.”
One Boone local in attendance called out ICE for its targeting of immigrants lacking permanent legal status at their workplaces.
“Abducting a so-called violent gang member at their place of employment is a contradiction,” the Boone local said. “These agents are weak, small little men who take that anger out on people they think are weaker.”
An App State staff member who emigrated from India came to the protest to find out more about rumors of ICE activity. He watched from the sidelines as the demonstrators expressed concern with the anti-immigrant rhetoric.
“All humans have a right to live where they live,” the staff member said. “We’re all equal and we all have human rights. That’s the promise of America.”
Johnny Brown, director of public safety and chief of police at App State, wrote that there was no confirmed activity of ICE on campus and said that App State’s police department provides resources to students.
“As of Thursday morning, we have had no ICE activity on App State’s campus. We encourage students, faculty or staff who are concerned to contact App State Police, and we also encourage everyone to confirm information with trusted sources,” he wrote. “Artificial intelligence and social media can feed rumors, speculation and misinformation, contributing to the difficulties and confusion that can be caused by misinformation and disinformation. Please remember App State’s police department as a resource for the safety and security of our university community.”
Note: A statement from Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police at App State Johnny Brown has been added to this article.
Eliza • Jan 8, 2026 at 6:53 am
I love the signs that said, “Boone is vold Enough! We don’t Need ICE!