(The Center Square) – Racial profiling accusations in Charlotte “are disgusting, reckless, and categorically false,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday on the fourth day of enhanced federal immigration law enforcement in North Carolina.
Gregory Bovino, chief patrol agent of the El Centro Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, responded to a profanity-laced video of a woman threatening federal lawmen with a message for first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
“Governor Stein, you caused this,” Bovino, commander of operations at-large, wrote on social media. “Let me say this again, governor. When you spout lies about a lawful law enforcement operation, you spark something in weaker minded people like this who may act upon your directions. You need to check yourself.”
In a social media post Monday, Stein said to federal agents, “Stop targeting people simply going about their lives because of the color of their skin, as you are doing in Charlotte.”
Stein also said, “If you see any inappropriate behavior, use your phones to record and notify local law enforcement, who will continue to keep our communities safe after these federal agents leave.”
In the social media video from the account @hernandoarce, a woman videotaping while driving shows a screwdriver and says, “I wish you would try to break my f—— window, because you know what? You about to get that mother—-r in your neck, b—-.”
In a social media post Tuesday, Homeland Security wrote, “Allegations from Charlotte’s sanctuary politicians that DHS law enforcement officers engage in ‘racial profiling’ are disgusting, reckless and categorically false. President Trump and Secretary Noem stand with the brave men and women of DHS law enforcement who are risking their lives to arrest the worst of the worst from our communities.”
Second-term Republican President Donald Trump has made enforcement of immigration law and border security one of the top priorities of his second administration. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, former governor of South Dakota after nearly a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives, has directed staff to multiple immigration enforcement operations in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Similar to Americans using passports or other documentation to visit foreign countries, so too does the law require those coming into the United States to do so legally. The vast majority follow these laws.
After arriving in Charlotte on Saturday, federal agents continued work Tuesday and Wednesday in the Triangle communities of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.
Mecklenburg County commissioners on Tuesday evening passed a resolution showing support for immigrants in the county and requesting Border Patrol and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to notify the county of any arrests. Ironically, the county sheriff’s office has notoriously stood against cooperation – particularly notifications – with ICE.
State law passed in 2024 now requires all 100 county sheriffs to cooperate with ICE.
Mecklenburg County had a U.S. Census estimated population in 2024 of more than 1.2 million. Leaders of the county estimate an immigrant population of about 150,000.
Monday evening, Homeland Security said 207 arrests had been made in Operation Charlotte’s Web.
