In just a few weeks, a task force led by Border Patrol apprehended over 400 undocumented immigrants in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to Border Patrol Commander Greg K. Bovino, more than half of those arrested as part of Operation Charlotte’s Web were found to have serious criminal histories.
Bovino shared insights on Monday regarding the number of arrests since the operation’s initiation on November 15th. He noted that agents in Charlotte alone detained 274 illegal aliens, and when working alongside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), that figure nearly doubled, surpassing 400 arrests overall.
One of the key points Bovino emphasized is the unexpected number of collateral arrests during these targeted operations. He mentioned that over 50 percent of other undocumented individuals apprehended alongside their targeted counterparts also had serious criminal backgrounds.
“We’re specifically going after the worst offenders in Charlotte,” Bovino told reporters. “If you’re found with individuals on our target list and you’re undocumented yourself, don’t expect a free pass.” He mentioned being surprised by how many individuals on the list also had serious criminal charges against them.
Bovino also indicated that during a single day in November, nearly 67 percent of illegal aliens caught were with those they had specifically targeted, many of whom had significant criminal records. “We want to be clear: our goal is to make Charlotte safer for its residents by removing potentially dangerous individuals from the streets,” he stated.
He added, “We’ve only just begun. In one of these arrests, we found 18 members of the MS-13 gang. It’s simply unacceptable for gang members to be roaming freely in Charlotte. Many locals I talked to expressed their gratitude for our presence and welcomed us in their city.”
Bovino told us that taking out over 400 criminal aliens will positively affect crime rates in North Carolina’s largest city. He reiterated that immigration enforcement actions initiated during Operation Charlotte Web are ongoing and there’s still much more to do. “As long as we have work left, we’re not done in any city. We could return at any moment,” a seasoned border official remarked.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that immigration enforcement in North Carolina targets undocumented immigrants drawn to the area due to its sanctuary status, allowing them to move within the state without fear of immigration enforcement.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the situation, saying, “Americans should be able to live without the fear of violent, criminal illegal aliens who can harm themselves or their communities. We are deploying DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure safety for citizens and eliminate any public safety threats.”
