OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
9:28 AM – Wednesday, November 19, 2025
UPDATE – 11/19/25 – 10:22 am PT: As of November 18th, the third day of the operation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that more than 200 illegal aliens have been arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The operation began Saturday morning in Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to a statement on Monday, 44 of those taken were criminals with records including aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault on a police officer, battery, driving under the influence, and hit-and-run.
Two known gang members were also taken into custody.
These were identified as Manuel Vasquez-Gavarrete of Honduras, who had previously been deported and was a member of the 18th Street gang. Humberto Pozada-Rodriguez of Honduras, a previously deported MS-13 gang member, was also encountered by DHS forces.
He was convicted of trespassing, public disorderly conduct, giving false information to a police officer, and three counts of illegal entry, and was previously arrested for assault on a police officer while resisting arrest, larceny, and receiving stolen goods.
Commander Gregory K. Bovino described those arrested as having “significant criminal and immigration history.”
The agency also revealed the identities of other criminals encountered during the operation, several of whom had already been removed from the U.S., according to the DHS.
Leonel De Jesus Chinchea-Galvan, a Honduran citizen, was charged with aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, and driving while intoxicated.
Hector Maldonado-Garay had previously been removed and was convicted of three counts of simple assault, one count of aggravated assault, and shoplifting.
Rony Anibal Alvarado-Gonzalez is convicted of driving while intoxicated and aggravated driving while intoxicated. He’s charged with obstruction of justice.
“There is absolutely no excuse to continue allowing criminal illegal aliens to terrorize our American communities,” said a DHS spokesperson. “These are violent assailants, gang members, and repeat offenders who have zero regard for the rule of law in our country. They are here illegally and should never have been here in the first place. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are REMOVING the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our communities once and for all.”
Additionally, Luis Osorio-Hernandez of Mexico is convicted of possession of stolen goods and illegal entry. He is charged with assaulting a female while intoxicated, as well.
Karelia Estefania Torres-Izaguirre, also hailing from Honduras, has an active warrant from the Charlotte Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear. She is charged with felony larceny.
Salvadoran national Yonis Alexander Granado-Arevalo is charged with illegal entry and has a bench warrant from the Washington, D.C. Police Department.
A large crowd of residents gathered at First Ward Park in Uptown on Saturday to protest the presence of law enforcement, arguing it incites fear in Charlotte’s “immigrant community.”
Mayor Vi Lyles released a statement on Monday addressing the concerned Charlotte community.
“To everyone in Charlotte who is feeling anxious or fearful: you are not alone. Your city stands with you. We will continue working with community leaders, legal advocates, and service providers to make sure that resources, information, and support remain available. We are actively working with our partners to determine what more we can do to support our community while working within complicated legal boundaries,” Lyles said. “Our strength as a city comes from our unity and our shared commitment to one another. We will meet this moment together—with calm, compassion, and a steadfast dedication to the rights and well-being of all who call Charlotte home.”
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