Internal DHS File: Under One‑Third of Charlotte Detainees Labeled "Criminals," Raising Questions About Operation's Focus

An internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document shows that fewer than one-third of the people arrested by Border Patrol during a recent enforcement campaign in Charlotte were classified as "criminal aliens." The operation, known as Operation Charlotte's Web, began on the weekend of Nov. 15 and involved roughly 200 Border Patrol agents who recorded more than 270 immigration-related arrests.

The DHS summary indicates that fewer than 90 of those detained were listed as "criminal aliens." The file excludes arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and does not specify whether the recorded criminal records reflected convictions or only charges, nor does it detail the severity of those offenses.

A DHS spokesperson disputed the interpretation of the document but did not provide a different detainee breakdown. The spokesperson pointed to an agency press release that noted more than 130 arrests during the operation's first two days, including 44 people described as having criminal charges or convictions — offenses listed included aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault on a police officer, battery and driving under the influence — and two individuals identified as gang members.

Deployment and tactics

On the ground, the operation was led by Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who has overseen similar deployments to cities including Los Angeles and Chicago. Those deployments represent an unusual use of Border Patrol resources, which have historically focused on securing the U.S. border and certain coastal areas rather than carrying out large-scale interior arrests in major cities.

In Charlotte and other cities, agents carried out arrests in public places such as Home Depot parking lots and near businesses, detaining day laborers, landscapers and others suspected of being in the country unlawfully. Videos circulated showing confrontations that included an agent smashing a car window and arrests outside businesses and near people decorating a Christmas tree.

Community impact and reaction

The operation sparked notable community backlash: some businesses temporarily closed their doors, local high school students staged walkouts in protest, and school officials reported a sharp rise in student absences. A recent national poll found that a majority of Americans — about 58% — believe federal immigration agents are stopping and detaining "more people than necessary."

According to internal records, Border Patrol demobilized from the Charlotte area last week, though ICE — which maintains a permanent presence in North Carolina — is expected to continue enforcement activity. Separate internal materials also indicate Border Patrol preparations for a comparable operation in New Orleans.

Bottom line: The DHS internal file raises questions about the stated focus of the Charlotte operation on dangerous criminals and has intensified debate over enforcement tactics, civil liberties and the role of Border Patrol inside U.S. cities.