More than 200 community members peacefully protested Thursday, March 5, outside Cary Town Hall against the possible opening of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, known as ICE, in the town.
The demonstration, organized by Wake County Indivisible, took place before and during Mayor Harold Weinbrecht Jr.’s State of Cary address.
An article published by Wired raised concerns about a possible ICE expansion in the area. Although the mayor has said he does not have authority over federal decisions, protesters hope that he and other local officials will speak out against the office in Cary.
“I hope the town of Cary will speak out in defense of the community and do everything possible to prevent an ICE facility from being established here,” resident Ana Lepe Vick told Enlace Latino NC. “We believe they should look for creative solutions to protect residents.”
Atmosphere at the protest
“Support our immigrant communities,” “No to ICE expansion. ICE out of North Carolina,” and “Mayor, get your ICE out of Cary,” were some of the messages displayed on protesters’ signs.
The Durham Resistance Singers performed in support of the immigrant community. Dade, a UNC law student and member of Siembra NC, was one of three speakers. She spoke about her experience helping families who fear leaving their homes because of ICE’s presence and expressed her opposition to the office in Cary.
“Cary, specifically that building over there, 11000 Regency Parkway, has enough space to house 80 to 200 people, and what they’re saying is, ‘Oh, no, it’s just office employees, it’s just OPLA, just their attorneys,’” she said.
Attorneys from the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, or OPLA, are legal representatives of the Department of Homeland Security who litigate in all removal cases, including those involving immigrants.
Dade said that hiring between 80 and 200 OPLA attorneys is “building an immigration and deportation system in the Triangle.”
“And we don’t have enough deportation defense attorneys to counter that,” she added.
Michelle Craig, a Town Council member who was observing the protest, told Enlace Latino NC she was there to support the community.
“I’m a teacher here in a town with multilingual students, and regardless of how we feel, I think we should support our community,” Craig said.
“What I want for our community is for everyone to feel safe, regardless of the color of their skin or their immigration status, and I’m supporting the community for showing concern for their neighbors.”
After the remarks, organizers encouraged attendees to participate in the question-and-answer portion of the State of Cary address. Other residents began marching around Town Hall.
“What will happen to the Koka Booth Amphitheatre?” and “ICE is already in Cary,” were among the images projected onto the walls of Town Hall as the demonstration concluded.
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Mayor says he lacks authority over ICE expansion
Although Mayor Weinbrecht did not take a position on the possible ICE office during the State of Cary address, the issue dominated the question-and-answer session.
In his responses, Weinbrecht said he has no information about a federal agency expansion in Cary and likely would have little power to stop it.
“We have no idea what’s going on here. We don’t know anything about ICE there. If we did, we wouldn’t have the authority to stop them. They could do whatever they wanted,” he said.
His response drew criticism from some attendees.
“It sounds dishonest and cowardly to say you have no options or authority,” one participant said.
The mayor added that some members of the immigrant community had asked him not to draw attention to ICE out of fear of retaliation.
“If you make a public statement, you’re inviting them to come and putting the people I’m supposed to protect at risk. That really concerns me,” he added.
What we know so far about the Cary office
The building in question is located at 11000 Regency Parkway, near the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, and houses several businesses.
According to a General Services Administration, or GSA, record, a lease has existed at that location since October 2025 and runs at least through 2030.
However, public documents do not specify which federal agency is using the space or what its function is.
Next steps
The next Cary Town Council meeting is scheduled for March 12.
Wake County Indivisible invited residents to sign up to deliver public comments. The group also said residents could submit written statements before noon regarding the proposed ICE facility in Cary.
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