Many Americans today find themselves afraid not of criminals or terrorists, but of government officers who are supposed to protect them. Reports of DHS and ICE agents detaining people with little warning have left many communities anxious, creating a level of fear so intense that some people prefer not to leave their homes at all. One construction worker from North Carolina recently shared a TikTok video that captured just how serious the situation feels for him and his coworkers.
In his video, the construction worker explained that the worksite had become unusually quiet. He said many workers chose not to come in because they were afraid of being confronted by DHS officers. Those who did come, he explained, felt as if they were taking a significant risk, believing that DHS or ICE agents could approach them at any moment without clear justification. The North Carolina worker added that helicopters were flying above the area, which only increased the sense of unease among the crew.
According to him, several coworkers believed it was only a matter of time before DHS visited their worksite. This constant anticipation created a tense environment, and he worried that if more workers were detained or simply too afraid to show up, the entire project might eventually shut down. He also noted that about ninety-five percent of the workers were people of color, a group he felt had become the most frequent target of enforcement actions in the country. Before all this began, he said the worksite used to be lively, with multiple food trucks and vendors selling fruit nearby. Now, however, he described the area as resembling a ghost town. The North Carolina man’s account left a strong impression on viewers, many of whom could relate to the anxiety he described.
People online expressed a mix of concern and frustration after hearing his story. Some criticized the Trump administration, arguing that its policies were harming the country more than helping it. One user wrote, “Trump is causing economic harm to cause chaos that he can capitalize on.”
Others pointed out that this fear was affecting places far beyond a single worksite. Another user commented, “At least from my perspective, I’ve noticed a significant amount of folks have not been going in to work this week in Charlotte. The traffic in the mornings has been less than usual. I hope they stay home and safe until this is over.”
A third person added, “Kids are missing school. Businesses are closing. Workers aren’t showing up for work. Communities are terrified. People are polarized and protesting. Innocent citizens are being deported. And even the undocumented immigrants are typically law-abiding and productive members of society.”
