The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has conducted a statewide immigration enforcement surge in North Carolina, expanding Border Patrol and ICE operations near Charlotte. The department has targeted individuals with criminal records, resulting in dozens of arrests. DHS officials have faced criticism over the aggressive tactics used during the operation, while Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Chief Gregory Bovino condemned the leadership of Gov. Josh Stein.
Stein said, “Once again, I call on federal agents to target violent criminals, not neighbors walking down the street, going to church, or putting up Christmas decorations. Stop targeting people simply going about their lives because of the color of their skin, as you are doing in Charlotte.”
Stein added, “Everyone wants to be safe in their communities, but the actions of too many federal agents are doing the exact opposite. In Charlotte, we’ve seen masked, heavily armed agents and paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars targeting American citizens based on their skin color, racially profiling and picking up random people in parking lots and off of our sidewalks, going after landscapers, simply decorating a Christmas tree in someone’s front yard and entering churches and stores to grab people.”…