Federal officials have started a surge of immigration enforcement in Charlotte, North Carolina. Agents were seen making arrests on Saturday. Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says the move aims to ensure public safety.

Local officials including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles are criticizing the arrests, saying they cause unnecessary fear. Residents of North Carolina's largest city are reporting agents seeking to arrest people outside businesses and in front yards.

Observers say they have seen an increase in stops by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents since Friday.