Indian Americans react to migrant raids, urge undocumented residents to be informed
There is a panic among many Indian immigrants in the Raleigh area, said one Indian business owner.
And after three young Indian men were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Durham Thursday afternoon, more fear set in for others. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE are both part of the Homeland Security Department and work together on border security.
“Even though they are all legal, they worry the moment they hear the names ICE or the FBI. They are very terrified,” said Chari Kambara, the owner of several Indian restaurants and grocery stores in Cary and Chapel Hill.
Many of Kambara’s employees are Indian and can work in his businesses through a valid work visa. Though they have the protection of the visa, many of them are still worried about being stopped or detained by ICE or the police.
“All of us have a great respect for authorities but there is a lot of fear,” Kambara said.
Now that President Donald Trump has returned to the White House for a second term, he is delivering on his promises to deport hundreds of thousands of people living in the country without proper documentation or authorization.
While undocumented immigrants, or those who entered the country without the proper documentation, have always faced deportation, there is a heightened fear with the second Trump administration. Many opponents say the new immigration policies also pose threats to people who have been legally living and working in the country or seeking asylum.
In Wake County, there are about 80,000 immigrants from India, according to U.S. Census data. A majority of Indian and South Asian immigrants live and work in Morrisville, making up over 40% of the town’s population. India also ranked third behind Mexico and El Salvador with the highest number of people entering the country without proper authorization.
“Not every undocumented immigrant is a criminal,” said Cary Councilwoman Sarika Bansal. “Yet we are seeing widespread deportations that go beyond the initial intent of targeting those with serious felonies.”
The reasons the young men were arrested by Customs and Border Protection in Durham remain unknown, but in a statement the agency said the men were detained during a targeted operation. Several local groups have been organizing to educate immigrants about their rights and how they can obtain legal status amid the new crackdown.
A push to educate frightened residents and employees
Bansal, the first Indian American to serve on the Cary Town Council, said the recent deportations have created “significant fear and uncertainty” in the community.
“Especially among families who have lived here peacefully for years,” she said. “While immigration enforcement is a federal issue, it’s crucial that we recognize the human impact of these actions.”
Bansal serves Cary’s District D, where many Indian residents live. Bansal said immigration policies should “balance security with fairness and compassion.”
In Morrisville, Councilman Steve Rao said he was deeply concerned about the recentraids in Durham. he is working with local Indian groups to help immigrants become more informed of their rights.
“These actions have sent shock waves through our communities,” Rao, who is Indian American, said. “The lack of transparency surrounding these raids is troubling.”
Rao said he was getting calls from families who were afraid to send their children to school, seek medical care or go to work.
“I also am concerned about the negative economic impact that such rapid deportations can have on our small business community,” Rao said.
As a businessman, Kambara said there is a need for immigration reform, and said he praises Trump’s plans to deport undocumented immigrants accused of crimes or in the country illegally. Still, he has been trying to reassure his employees that they shouldn’t worry.
He said expects some local businesses, including his own, to be impacted by potential deportations.
“As an employer, if you are hiring an employee you have to maintain a public file,” he said. “That public file may consist of all the documents, paperwork about the visa, what kind of visa, and when they got it. ... But in reality, there are some people (who don’t) have all those things.”
Kambara said he has been working with other business owners to inform employees of their rights and help them update documents, obtain legal status or update their work or student visas.
This story was originally published February 15, 2025 at 8:56 AM.