CHARLOTTE, NC – A long line formed at Charlotte’s Homeland Security Office Thursday. Many in the large crowd waited hours all in hopes of getting in front of an ICE agent. Those who waited were migrants, most of whom hopes to complete a check-in at the ICE field office before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump who is set to be sworn in Monday. Marco Ruiz was one of many who hoped to step foot inside the ICE office. He lined up at 8 a.m. and waited more than six hours with his wife.  He was there in the cold to support his wife who was checking in with ICE, which she is required to do after being allowed to be in the U.S. temporarily. Ruiz has completed these check-ins before and said the wait has never been so long. Many who crowded the entrance of the building in a line that stretched all the way down the sidewalk are fearful of what will happen to them after Trump is sworn in. There is much speculation around what his first days in office will look like, but many who waited are worried the President-elect will make good on his promises of mass deportation. “Better be safe than sorry. Get stuff, your stuff straight and worked out just in case any changes or anything could happen,” Ruiz said. Charlotte’s Carolina Migrant Network says it has seen runs on the ICE field office before, and pointed to examples during the Covid-19 pandemic. Stefanía Arteaga said those who chose to wait in Thursdays long line were likely trying to meet with an ICE agent in hopes of keeping in good standing while they wait for their official immigration court. Arteaga is unsure of what penalties migrants could face for missing a check-in under Trump. “It is unclear what the repercussions will be right now just because of the transition of power we’re about to witness, on Monday. But, often it’s strongly encouraged that people continue to do their ICE check-ins while they even just wait to get a court hearing,” Arteaga said. Arteaga believes much of Charlotte’s migrant community is scared of mass deportation caused Trump. She says many of those who waited in the cold outside of the ICE office likely just want their day in immigration court. It is unclear if any of those who waited will actually get their day in court, because ICE currently has a back log of cases and Trump’s second term is only days away. Carolina Migrant Network is urging Charlotte’s migrant community to know their rights before Monday, as it could help to prevent deportation. It is still unclear what policies Trump will implement relating to deportation. WCCCB reached out to the ICE field office for comment on the large crowds. No response has been given at this time.