Driver flees Charlotte immigration operation
A driver in a white van was filmed fleeing from law enforcement officers conducting an immigration operation, according to video released Sunday by the Department of Homeland Security. (Credit: X/@DHSgov)
At least one law enforcement officer was injured after two separate vehicle ramming incidents during operations in Charlotte on Sunday, as immigration raids there have netted the arrests of at least 130 illegal immigrants so far, according to Border Patrol officials.
"Today, Border Patrol agents in Charlotte faced another vehicle ramming while in a parking lot. Agents were preparing for an operation, when a car jumped a curb to enter the parking lot and drove toward agents," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News in a statement.
"The driver was warned to stop and back up. The driver then moved the vehicle toward the exit of the parking lot to box in Border Patrol," the statement continued. "As agents went to confront the driver, the car rammed a law enforcement vehicle and fled the scene. Agents pursued the aggressor, eventually stopping the car in a cul-de-sac where the driver was arrested."
McLaughlin went on to note that the suspect in that incident was "a transgender perpetrator."
The suspect in the other case — a U.S. citizen — accelerated his van at officers conducting an enforcement operation near the University City area, according to an X post from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
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A driver in a white van was filmed fleeing from law enforcement officers conducting an immigration operation, according to video released Sunday by the Department of Homeland Security. (X/@DHSgov)
The driver then fled, triggering a "dangerous high-speed chase through a densely populated area" before agents managed to box him in, DHS said.
"During the chase, he attempted to ram into law enforcement vehicles — posing a serious public safety threat," DHS said in a statement. "As agents were boxing him in — the driver proceeded to ram law enforcement vehicles in an attempt to escape."
One officer was injured in that incident, according to DHS.
After the suspect was arrested, agents discovered a firearm inside the van, officials confirmed.
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Department of Homeland Security Investigations Officers operate a drone in search of two individuals who fled the scene after being stopped while selling flowers on the side of the road on November 16, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)
"The perpetrator has prior arrests for resisting law enforcement, public disturbance and intoxication/ disruptive conduct," according to DHS.
The encounter unfolded as federal agents launched a major immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte over the weekend.
U.S. Border Patrol agents were seen on Saturday making arrests across the city of more than 900,000 residents, according to The Associated Press.
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A Department of Homeland Security agent stands guard as protesters demonstrate against raids conducted by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside the DHS office in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Nov. 16, 2025. (PETER ZAY/AFP via Getty Images)
The operation is part of a federal push to ensure "Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed," according to McLaughlin.
A DHS spokesperson said the 130 arrested have criminal records.
"Criminal records of those arrested include known gang membership, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, felony larceny, simple assault, hit and run, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, DUI, DWI, and illegal re-entry after prior deportation, a felony," the spokesperson told Fox News' Madison Scarpino. "We will not stop enforcing the laws of our nation until every criminal illegal alien is arrested and removed from our country."
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The operation comes months after the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, aboard a Charlotte light-rail train.
It also follows similar immigration enforcement raids recently conducted in California, Illinois, Oregon and New York.
Fox News' Madison Scarpino contributed to this report.
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