Trump Administration Begins To Undo Cooper’s Sanctuary State Policies, Democrats Enraged

Over the weekend, the Department of Homeland Security began operations to remove illegal aliens in the Charlotte area, effectively undoing former Governor Cooper’s sanctuary state agenda. Last Friday, DHS announced “Operation Charlotte’s Web” in North Carolina with plans to surge resources to North Carolina increase deportations from the Tar Heel State. DHS notes that nearly 1,400 detainers across North Carolina have not been honored —releasing criminal illegal aliens into North Carolina’s 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.” 

Here are the individuals DHS provided as examples of who they are targeting in this operation.  

• Jordan Renato Castillo-Chavez, a criminal illegal alien from Costa Rica, was arrested for indecent liberties with child, first degree sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted statutory sexual offense with a child less than 15 years old, and solicitation of a child by a computer. He was released after authorities failed to honor the ICE detainer. 

• Jose Ulloa-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested for murder. He was released after authorities failed to honor the ICE detainer. 

• 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/custodian. He was released after authorities failed to honor the ICE detainer. 

• Jeferson Moises Martinez-Sorto, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested for sexual battery, resisting an officer, and fleeing/eluding arrest with a motor vehicle. He was released after authorities failed to honor the ICE detainer. 

• William Santos-Roca, a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. The next day, he was arrested for a DWI. Santos-Roca has had previous arrest for a hit-and-run and multiple DWIs. He was released after authorities in North Carolina failed to honor an ICE detainer. 

• Carlos Manuel Portillo-Guevara, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and discharge of a weapon. He was released after authorities failed to honor the ICE detainer. 

• Olvin Esau Calero-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, has a career criminal history which includes vehicle theft, larceny, trespassing, burglary and forced entry, property damage, possession of stolen property, and drug possession. He was released after authorities failed to honor the ICE detainer. 

This public safety crisis is the direct result of former Governor Cooper’s sanctuary state policies. Here are some of Cooper’s most egregious actions.  

• Cooper vetoed three pieces of legislation requiring North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, embracing dangerous sanctuary policies that harbor criminal illegals.  

• Under Cooper, in less than a year, nearly 500 illegals were freed from jails across North Carolina, including those with sex offense, kidnapping, arson, and homicide charges. 

• Under Cooper, many violent illegals like Luis Pineda-Ancheta immediately reoffended after being released due to sanctuary policies in North Carolina. 

N.C. House Speaker Destin Hall said, “Border Patrol is in Charlotte because Sheriff McFadden refused to do his job. His sanctuary policies blocked hundreds of ICE detainers and pushed criminal illegal aliens right back onto the streets. They’re stepping in to clean up his mess and restore safety to the city.”  

Instead of thanking the Trump administration’s decisive action to remove illegal aliens, Democrats across North Carolina are issuing defiant statements.  

• Former Governor Roy Cooper claimed without evidence that federal officials are not focused on deporting violent criminals but are indiscriminately arresting American citizens based on skin color.  

• Asheville Mayor issued a statement declaring that the Asheville Police Department does not have the authority to enforce immigration law.  

• NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton accused Border Patrol and ICE of “stealing our community members off the streets in Charlotte.”