North Carolina
NC woman detained while at work in Raleigh moved to Georgia facility to await hearing
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A Wake County woman, detained by immigration officials earlier this week, will face a judge in Georgia next week.
Border Patrol agents detained Fatima Issela Velazquez-Antonio on Tuesday at a job site in Raleigh.
Her family says she has been held at a facility in Lumpkin, GA, and will face a judge on Tuesday to find out if she can be released on bond.
Gene Smith is the boyfriend of Velazquez-Antonio’s aunt. He says the family has been heartbroken since she was detained.
“The main question is, is she coming home? That’s the million-dollar question,” he said.
Smith says the 23-year-old came to the U.S. from Honduras as an unaccompanied minor at 14 and was granted asylum.
“She’s a good kid. She works hard. She loves her family. She loves her nieces and nephews without having kids of her own,” he said.
The Corinth Holders High School graduate came to the U.S. after losing her mom to cancer and her father to gang violence.
Fatima Issela Velazquez-Antonio
Ashley Lively is representing Velazquez-Antonio. Lively says Velazquez-Antonio has no criminal history aside from minor traffic violations and had no warrant out for her arrest prior to being detained.
Lively also says Velazquez-Antonio has a valid working permit, a social security number, and has not missed any prior interviews or hearings with the Department of Homeland Security.
“She had the right to remain in the United States while her case was being adjudicated. She did not have any sort of legal, permanent immigration status,” said Lively. “She had done everything right and was just waiting for her case to be adjudicated.”
Velazquez-Antonio’s case is now catching the attention of local elected leaders, including those in Washington, D.C.
Wendell Town Commissioner Deans Eatman posted on Facebook, saying in part, “Fatima deserves answers. Her family deserves answers.”
Rep. Deborah Ross is now looking into Velazquez-Antonio’s case.
A spokeswoman for her office told Eyewitness News, “Our office has been in touch with the lawyer representing Fatima Issela Velazquez-Antonio to better understand the case and if there is any support and assistance we can offer.”
“I’m deeply concerned by some of the reports I’ve seen about CBP detaining Wake County residents, including a teenager,” said Rep. Ross. “I will work with state and local partners to protect our residents from violations of their rights by federal immigration officers.”
Smith says the family just hopes to see her again soon.
“She cares about family and she loves the United States. She wants to stay and I hope that she will be allowed to,” he said.
Eyewitness News reached out to DHS for answers as to why Velazquez-Antonio was detained and what her current condition is.
DHS has not responded with details.
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The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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