U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents arrested 81 people in Charlotte on the first day of the “Charlotte’s Web” operation, according to Commander Gregory Bovino.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents arrested 81 people during their first day of immigration enforcement operations in Charlotte, according to the commander overseeing the effort.
The operation, also known as “Charlotte’s Web,” began Saturday morning, with the first reported sighting on South Boulevard, near Baleada Bar and Grill.
Commander Gregory K. Bovino described those arrested as having “significant criminal and immigration history.”
“81, many of whom had significant criminal and immigration history, are off the streets,” Bovino said, adding that more details about those apprehended would be released on social media.
As of Sunday morning, agents resumed making arrests. Bovino posted about four arrests on his X feed, stating each person has a criminal history and emphasizing the purpose of CBP’s presence in Charlotte.
“Criminal illegal aliens shop too…check out who was walking and shopping amongst American citizens today: a violent repeat offender,” Bovino said in a post. “This is why border security matters. This is why we’re in Charlotte.”
Charlotte marks the first city where CBP said it will spearhead immigration enforcement without coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the same location. While ICE has conducted arrests in Charlotte previously, that agency was not coordinating with Border Patrol during Saturday’s operation.
RELATED: ‘I’m a US citizen!’ | Video shows CBP agents handcuffing woman in Charlotte
Border Patrol agents were spotted across multiple areas of the city, including South Boulevard, Central Avenue and Albemarle Road, operating near businesses and busy intersections using vans and SUVs.
Hundreds of residents have voiced their opposition since the agency’s arrival, gathering for a protest at First Ward Park in Uptown on Saturday. A large crowd formed around 2 p.m., where speakers condemned the operations for stoking fear within Charlotte’s immigrant community. Many attendees held signs echoing those concerns, in both English and Spanish.
RELATED: Protestors in Uptown Charlotte decry CBP operation
Asha Patel, a community organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, shared her frustrations with WCNC Charlotte.
“We’re here to say that we will not tolerate this, and we demand Border Patrol leave our city immediately, she said.
She also said agents were forced out of their last operation in Chicago because of citizens organizing a mass response, and hoped the protest in Charlotte would be part of a similar action.
The agency has not released detailed information about the nature of the operation or its duration in Charlotte.