DHS Operation in Charlotte Leaves Few Answers

Questions linger about the federal agency's 1,300 immigration arrests in North Carolina.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:37pm

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A photorealistic painting in the style of Edward Hopper, depicting a lone immigration enforcement vehicle parked on a deserted urban street, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, creating a sense of solitude and unease.The secretive federal operation in Charlotte left many unanswered questions about its tactics and impact on the community.Charlotte Today

Nearly five months after the Trump administration surged Border Patrol agents into North Carolina, the Department of Homeland Security has shared little about Operation Charlotte's Web and its reported 1,300-plus arrests beyond what lawsuits have revealed. The federal agency that disrupted daily life, prompting economic upheaval and public school absences, appears to answer to few, critics say, and may be violating transparency laws.

Why it matters

The lack of transparency from DHS about the Charlotte operation raises concerns about the agency's intentions and whether it is following the law. Critics argue DHS is abusing its power and not providing the public with information it is legally required to disclose.

The details

DHS put out several news releases about Operation Charlotte's Web, launched on November 15, handpicking arrestees to identify as the "worst of the worst" criminals. However, details about the arrests, such as the charges against those detained, have largely come from lawsuits rather than the agency itself. DHS has directed information requests to its FOIA portal, which shows pending requests, though federal agencies are generally required to respond within 20 business days.

  • Operation Charlotte's Web was launched on November 15, 2025.
  • The operation lasted for more than two weeks, disrupting daily life in Charlotte.

The players

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that conducted Operation Charlotte's Web, a surge of Border Patrol agents into North Carolina that resulted in over 1,300 reported arrests.

Greg Bovino

The Border Patrol chief who oversaw the Charlotte operation but was removed from his role earlier this year.

Pate McMichael

The director of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition, who says DHS is not following the law and is abusing its power by not providing public records.

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis

A Republican senator who has been stonewalled in his attempts to get information about Operation Charlotte's Web, including whether U.S. citizens were detained and subject to force.

Kristi Noem

The former secretary of Homeland Security, who was fired after Sen. Tillis called for her resignation over the lack of transparency about the Charlotte operation.

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What they’re saying

“It's a very dangerous thing for the government to be doing. It is an abuse of power. They're not following the law, and that's why they're getting sued, and that's why they're losing.”

— Pate McMichael, Director, North Carolina Open Government Coalition

“DHS is releasing this information when it benefits DHS's narrative. It's not releasing this information when it might help these people get help.”

— Kyle Virgien, Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation

“All I asked for — if it had to be anonymized — was information so that I could determine if your hit rate is right.”

— U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis

What’s next

Sen. Tillis is still working to get answers to his questions about Operation Charlotte's Web, including details on arrests and whether U.S. citizens were detained. The lack of transparency from DHS is expected to continue to be a focus of lawsuits and public scrutiny.

The takeaway

The DHS operation in Charlotte has raised serious concerns about the agency's transparency and adherence to the law. The lack of information provided by DHS, despite requests from lawmakers and lawsuits, suggests the agency may be more focused on its own narrative than on accountability to the public it serves.