Immigration Raids in Charlotte Lead to 81 Arrests
On Saturday, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents began their operations in Charlotte, North Carolina, apprehending 81 individuals on the very first day.
Commander Gregory K. Bovino shared details about the operation, dubbed “Charlotte’s Web,” highlighting that many of those arrested had extensive criminal and immigration records.
This raid marks the Trump administration’s continued efforts in its mass deportation initiative, with Charlotte being the latest target city.
The Department of Homeland Security noted that roughly 1,400 Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers across North Carolina were not being honored, which allowed illegal aliens to return to the streets of North Carolina due to existing sanctuary policies.
In response, Democratic Representative Alma Adams (D-N.C.) expressed her concerns, referring to the immigration raids as “extremely concerning.”
“Charlotte’s immigrant community is an integral part of the Queen City, and I will not stand by and watch my constituents face intimidation or harassment. Everyone deserves dignity, and the actions of border patrol and ICE agents in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles—using excessive force and tear gassing peaceful protesters—endanger the communities they enter,” Adams wrote in a post on social media.
“These tactics and values have no place in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County,” she added.
In response to Adams’s statement, Bovino urged her and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein (D-N.C.) to understand the distinction between illegal aliens and immigrants.
“Immigrants, be assured, we support you as we did in Chicago and Los Angeles. Rep. Adams, perhaps you and Gov. Stein should learn the difference between an illegal alien and an immigrant. Illegal aliens have no place in our communities and should self-deport,” Bovino commented.
Continuing updates from the operation, Bovino shared information about the arrests and the criminal activities related to those apprehended.
“Criminal illegal aliens shop too…take a look at who was walking and shopping among American citizens today: a violent repeat offender!” he posted, along with a photo of one of the individuals arrested.
“Our agents apprehended this Honduran illegal alien with a violent past: multiple simple assaults, shoplifting, and an aggravated felony that resulted in a four-year prison sentence. This underscores the importance of border security. This is why we’re in Charlotte,” he continued.
“Who’s at your grocery store? This illegal alien from Honduras with a checkered history of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and DUI. He has been removed from the U.S. twice, and now that he’s back, he’s committed a felony by re-entering,” Bovino added, referring to another person arrested.
