The Department of Homeland Security announced a new enforcement surge in Charlotte, North Carolina, aimed at locating and arresting criminal illegal aliens released under local sanctuary policies.
According to DHS, the initiative—called Operation Charlotte’s Web—will deploy additional federal law enforcement resources throughout North Carolina to apprehend offenders who were released despite active U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers. Officials said nearly 1,400 detainers across the state have gone unhonored, allowing criminal aliens to return to neighborhoods.
“Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens hurting them, their families, or their neighbors,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public-safety threats are removed. There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens. President Trump and Secretary Noem will step up to protect Americans when sanctuary politicians won’t.”
Homeland Security officials said Charlotte and surrounding counties have become a magnet for criminal aliens because sanctuary policies prevent cooperation with federal authorities. Those policies, they said, have allowed individuals accused of serious crimes—including murder, rape, and child exploitation—to be released instead of transferred to ICE custody.
Among the examples highlighted by DHS were several offenders who had been previously arrested and released after detainers were ignored:
- Jordan Renato Castillo-Chavez, a criminal illegal alien from Costa Rica, was arrested for indecent liberties with a child, first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted statutory sexual offense with a child under 15, and solicitation of a child by computer.
- Jose Ulloa-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested for murder.
- Osman Armondo Paz-Ortiz, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested for statutory sex offense with a child, indecent liberties with a child, and sex acts by a substitute parent or custodian.
- Jeferson Moises Martinez-Sorto, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested for sexual battery, resisting an officer, and fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle.
- William Santos-Roca, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and, the following day, for driving while intoxicated. He had prior arrests for hit-and-run and multiple DWIs.
- Carlos Manuel Portillo-Guevara, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, was arrested for carrying and discharging a weapon.
- Olvin Esau Calero-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, has a record including vehicle theft, burglary, trespassing, property damage, and drug possession.
All seven were released after authorities declined to honor ICE detainers, according to DHS.
Officials said Operation Charlotte’s Web will continue in the coming weeks as federal officers work to locate those individuals and others who were previously released. The department said the effort reflects President Donald Trump’s commitment to enforcing immigration law and protecting communities from repeat offenders.
DHS said it will continue to coordinate with local and state partners that honor detainers and will “use every legal authority available” to remove criminal aliens who pose a threat to the public.
