More Than 400 Arrested in ‘Operation Charlotte’s Web,’ Federal Officials Say

The immigration enforcement operation is currently targeting Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that more than 400 illegal immigrants have been arrested weeks after launching an operation in and around Charlotte, North Carolina.

A statement issued by a spokesperson to The Epoch Times on Friday said both DHS and other agencies “continue to target some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens as Operation Charlotte’s Web progresses,” referring to the name of the operation targeting illegal immigrants in the city.

“This immigration enforcement surge in the Charlotte area has led to the arrest of over 425 illegal aliens since operations started,” the DHS spokesperson said.

In mid-November, the department announced it would send law enforcement officials to North Carolina to go after criminal illegal aliens, adding that more than 1,400 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers haven’t been honored by local law enforcement.

The DHS announcement stated that individuals accused of murder, rape, and other offenses were released after being arrested due to “sanctuary policies” before providing photos and names of people who were recently detained.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, said last month that she was hopeful the enforcement operation would end soon, after local authorities said that Operation Charlotte’s Web would be winding down.

“I’m relieved for our community and the residents, businesses, and all those who were targeted and impacted by this intrusion,” Lyles wrote in a post on X. “As we move forward, it is essential that we come together—not as separate groups divided by recent events, but as one Charlotte community.”

However, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said on X that the operation isn’t ending soon and that reports suggesting otherwise are false.

Lyles has been critical of the immigration operation, suggesting in a statement on Nov. 17 that some residents have “expressed concern, fear, and uncertainty in response to these activities.”

“I am deeply concerned with many of the videos I’ve seen, and I urge all agencies operating here to conduct their work with respect for those values,” the mayor said. “We also recognize the emotional and economic impact these operations can have on families, neighborhoods, and local businesses.”

President Donald Trump has said it is necessary to send the military and immigration agents into Democratic-leaning areas such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, adding that the operations are needed to fight crime and carry out his mass deportation policies.

Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly said mass deportations were a cornerstone of his presidential agenda. He and other administration officials say that removing illegal immigrants would drive down prices for goods and homes while bolstering public safety.

This week, Homeland Security officials confirmed that the department would carry out a deportation effort in New Orleans, dubbed “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” which will focus on illegal immigrants who were released from jail due to sanctuary policies. While the department has not provided an update on the number of arrests, a news release issued Thursday confirmed that a number of criminal offenders have been detained so far.

Louisiana Republicans voiced their support. The chair of the state party, Derek Babcock, said the operation shows a commitment from the Trump administration and Republican Gov. Jeff Landry to “keeping our citizens safe.”

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