DHS: Operation Charlotte’s Web ‘not ending’ as local leaders say agents left town

CHARLOTTE — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Thursday afternoon that agents arrested about 370 undocumented immigrants since they arrived Saturday in Charlotte.

They will “continue to target some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens as Operation Charlotte’s Web progresses,” the agency said.

DHS stated this despite federal, local, and state officials telling Channel 9 earlier Thursday that the operation was over.

At noon, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the CBP operation “has officially concluded.”

Border Patrol agents were spotted across the region starting this past weekend as part of “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”

On Thursday, Channel 9 learned that agents are moving out of the region.

Videos shared on social media on Thursday appear to show a line of SUVs leaving CBP property in west Charlotte before heading toward Interstate 85. Agents were later spotted on I-85 heading toward South Carolina.

Regardless of “Operation Charlotte’s Web”, DHS, CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will remain in Charlotte to conduct immigration enforcement operations, as they always have.

DHS and CBP haven’t released the names of most of the people who were taken into custody, but they have highlighted a few arrests of individuals who also had previous criminal charges and were in the country illegally.

Channel 9 has asked DHS how many of the 370 people arrested this week were wanted for violent crimes. They previously said at least two are gang members.

Lingering impact

The sheriff’s office said in a statement that it won’t “engage in any enforcement actions regarding immigration with ICE.” The office says it’ll follow state law and release individuals who are in the country illegally to ICE custody within the 48-hour time period.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles issued a statement Thursday afternoon, saying: “It appears that U.S. Border Patrol has ceased its operations in Charlotte. I’m relieved for our community and the residents, businesses, and all those who were targeted and impacted by this intrusion. As we move forward, it is essential that we come together—not as separate groups divided by recent events, but as one Charlotte community. Our strength has always come from our ability to support one another, especially in challenging times. I am calling on all members of our community to join in this effort. Let us stand together, listen to one another, and recommit ourselves to the values of dignity, compassion, and unity that define our city. Charlotte is strongest when Charlotte stands as one."

Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Dante Anderson said there will be a lingering impact.

“We have to help those who were most affected come out of this, and it’s going to take longer than four or five days,” Anderson said.

On Monday, Charlotte City Council will vote whether to give money to nonprofits that serve the immigrant community. Anderson hopes they will use it to aid people impacted.

“We can begin the healing process,” Anderson said. “No. 1, by helping our residents that have been most affected by this process, ensuring that we help them. Not only with resources, but being there, shoulder to shoulder, united with them.”

After Channel 9 broke the news of CBP’s departure, Congressman Mark Harris responded: “It’s not ‘compassionate’ to let violent criminals roam our streets. CBP’s operation made Charlotte safer and stronger.”

On an emotional level, psychologist Liliana Carvajalino said she expects thousands to be impacted.

“It is a warning that prompts us to take preventive measures for the future, to prepare and plan how to provide better security if this situation were to happen again,” said Carvajalino. “It leaves an emotional wound that will not heal, reminding us that we are still a vulnerable culture.”

Former ICE official says main accomplishment was ‘fear’

Former ICE official says main accomplishment was ‘fear’

The former Chief of Staff for ICE during the Biden administration says fear is the only thing Border Parol accomplished during Operation Charlotte’s Web. Jason Houser says the operation did more harm than good because it has sewn distrust between law enforcement and the community and pitted law enforcement agencies against each other.

“We can do better than rolling up U.S. citizens or just driving people in gas stations or outside their church or even building fear,” he said. “MS-13 members, or sex offenders or drug traffickers just aren’t going to be randomly dropping their kids off for school. They’re not going to be hanging their Christmas lights in their front yard. And I don’t see what these operations carry out in the public safety interest.”

DHS says at least two of the 370 arrested were gang members and several others have a criminal record.

NCGOP says the operation was important after years of immigration clashes between the feds and Sheriff Garry McFadden

“We applaud our federal law enforcement actions in Charlotte,” NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons said. “What we saw was, especially with (Mecklenburg County) Sheriff (Garry) McFadden, a refusal to work with federal law enforcement to respect detainers.”

But Houser says there is a difference between every day immigration enforcement by ICE and the recent large scale border patrol operation in Charlotte. He says those agents would be better served arresting the worst of the worst along the border.

“What crime is not down is the drug trafficking happening at the border, the human smuggling, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling, counter terrorism,” he said. “I want those hard chargers there. I don’t see it as a value add by having them bouncing around in Central North Carolina.”

(VIDEO: Salon owner says Border Patrol harassed him during east Charlotte sweep)

Salon owner says Border Patrol harassed him during east Charlotte sweep

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