The Trump administration has expanded [1] its immigration enforcement efforts to Charlotte, North Carolina, with the launch of Operation Charlotte’s Web on Saturday.
EPIC! DHS just released this video of ICE and Border Patrol taking Charlotte by STORM
MASSIVE convoys of agents have descended on the blue city, and arrests are already underway.
KEEP PUSHING, DHS! We need MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of deportations! pic.twitter.com/4of6cI6ebe [2]
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 16, 2025 [3]
Federal officials said the operation is focused on arresting criminal illegal aliens living in the city.
Charlotte has approximately 900,000 residents, and 150,000 of them are foreign-born, according to CBS News.
HOLY SMOKES! Absolutely shocking statistic — Charlotte NC officials confirm of 900K residents, more than 150,000 THOUSAND are foreigners.
That’s not “immigration.” That’s INVASION.
No doubt thousands of them are illegals.
Time for them to get out. pic.twitter.com/fPBAR1elbg [4]
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 16, 2025 [5]
The Department of Homeland Security said state and local officials failed to cooperate with federal requests to detain individuals flagged for immigration violations.
DHS said that 1,400 detainer requests were not honored, resulting in offenders being released back into the community.
“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated.
“We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens. President Trump and Secretary Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said that more than 80 individuals were arrested on the first day of the operation.
He noted that the majority of those taken into custody had “significant criminal and immigration history.”
Good news, Eric. The number now stands at 81 yesterday. 81, many of whom had significant criminal and immigration history, are off the streets. This was done in about 5 hours! Stay tuned to social media to take a look at who we apprehended. More to come.
— Commander Op At Large CA Gregory K. Bovino (@CMDROpAtLargeCA) November 16, 2025 [6]
A video posted on social media showed a leftist activist confronting Bovino during one of the arrests carried out over the weekend while federal agents were detaining an alleged illegal alien.
“Are you doing nice things?” the activist asked.
“Absolutely, making the community safer for you,” Bovino responded.
BREAKING: Dozens of illegals arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina ICE raids
Liberal: “f*** you. Are you doing nice things?”
Border Patrol Commander: “Absolutely! We’re making the community safer for you!”
Let’s gooo pic.twitter.com/4O8sUUGYOW [7]
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 16, 2025 [8]
Bovino also posted several examples of recent arrests in Charlotte on X.
“Let’s paint this picture for you. An illegal alien from Mexico gets deported 4 times, strolls back to Charlotte, then racks up a hit & run AND a DUI/DWI?” he wrote.
“It’s time to go back home.”
Let’s paint this picture for you. An illegal alien from Mexico gets deported 4 times, strolls back to Charlotte, then racks up a hit & run AND a DUI/DWI?
It’s time to go back home.#DHS [9] #CBP [10] #USBP [11] #CHARLOTTESWEB [12] pic.twitter.com/QLqj2ezBuo [13]
— Commander Op At Large CA Gregory K. Bovino (@CMDROpAtLargeCA) November 16, 2025 [14]
In another post, he highlighted a separate arrest.
“Who’s at the same grocery store as you?” he wrote.
“This illegal alien from Honduras with a criminal history. He has arrests for aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon & DUI. He has also been removed from the U.S. twice, so now that he’s here AGAIN, he committed a felony by re-entering the U.S.”
Who’s at the same grocery store as you? This illegal alien from Honduras with a criminal history. He has arrests for aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon & DUI. He has also been removed from the U.S. twice, so now that he’s here AGAIN, he committed a felony by… pic.twitter.com/Kx8BI4NJFi [15]
— Commander Op At Large CA Gregory K. Bovino (@CMDROpAtLargeCA) November 16, 2025 [16]
Reports circulated Sunday claiming that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had shot an individual during the ongoing operations.
Woman posted that “Ice just shoot a Hispanic man on Milton rd charlotte nc pic.twitter.com/lGpbRoxTwm [17]
— ICE of TikTok (@ICEofTikTok) November 16, 2025 [18]
McLaughlin addressed the report directly, saying the claims were false.
“This criminal illegal alien from Mexico had a panic attack and was taken to the hospital where he attempted to escape by climbing into the ceiling tiles from the hospital bathroom. He was unsuccessful and was apprehended inside the ceiling by law enforcement,” McLaughlin stated.
“He has a prior arrest for assault.”
No. This criminal illegal alien from Mexico had a panic attack and was taken to the hospital where he attempted to escape by climbing into the ceiling tiles from the hospital bathroom. He was unsuccessful and was apprehended inside the ceiling by law enforcement
He has a prior… https://t.co/ld4TvAQKfb [19]
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) November 16, 2025 [20]
Operation Charlotte’s Web marks an escalation of federal enforcement efforts in North Carolina as DHS continues to respond to concerns regarding repeat criminal offenders returning to communities after previous removals.