Warrantless immigration arrests in North Carolina targeted U.S. citizens

Four U.S. citizens and a visa holder have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, alleging immigration arrests were made in North Carolina without warrants or probable cause. The lawsuit claims ICE and CBP officers detained individuals without sufficient reason to believe they were in the country illegally or a flight risk, violating legal standards. This action follows a significant increase in immigration enforcement in the state, particularly after “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” which led to numerous arrests and a notable increase in student absences. Plaintiffs, including naturalized citizens and visa holders, recount instances of being arrested despite confirming their legal status. The suit seeks to bar federal agents from conducting warrantless immigration arrests in North Carolina.

DHS has denied the allegations, stating enforcement is based on legal status, not ethnicity. However, federal courts in Oregon and Washington, D.C., have recently limited similar tactics. Advocacy groups like El Pueblo and Siembra NC have documented numerous warrantless arrests and welcomed the lawsuit as a step towards addressing the issue.

The ACLU and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice represent the plaintiffs, arguing that federal agents have consistently disregarded the law and violated civil rights in North Carolina. The case mirrors ongoing legal challenges to immigration enforcement tactics, with the Supreme Court recently allowing similar practices to continue while litigation proceeds.

(Source：Asheville Citizen-Times)