The Department of Homeland Security issued an unusually sharp and highly public rebuke of U.S. Senate candidate and former North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper after he criticized federal immigration enforcement operations in Charlotte. Cooper wrote on social media that while he supports using federal resources to deport violent offenders, he opposes “randomly sweeping up people based on what they look like,” warning that such tactics could leave dangerous criminals at large while harming families and the economy.
— Roy Cooper (@RoyCooperNC) November 17, 2025
DHS immediately fired back, using its official X account to highlight the case of Jordan Renato Castillo-Chavez, a Costa Rican national whom North Carolina authorities had previously declined to transfer to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DHS described Castillo-Chavez as a “criminal illegal alien” with a record that includes indecent liberties with a child, first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and solicitation of a child via computer. The agency’s message to Cooper was pointed: “North Carolina refused to hand him over to ICE.”
.@RoyCooperNC, meet Jordan Renato Castillo-Chavez.
Castillo-Chavez is a criminal illegal alien from Costa Rica. His criminal history includes indecent liberties with child, first degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and solicitation of a child by a computer.
North Carolina… https://t.co/7spksrfTLq pic.twitter.com/FFzyhgzhTm
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 18, 2025
Homeland Security broadened its criticism, arguing that Charlotte has become a hub for human trafficking and that “sanctuary politicians” in the state have enabled violent offenders to roam free. DHS asserted that terrorist groups and gangs exploit the region’s geography and highway networks, implicitly linking Cooper’s policies to increased vulnerability for residents.
Charlotte, North Carolina has become a hub for human trafficking. Terrorist organizations and gangs have taken advantage of the city's highway system and geographic location to exploit their victims.
Americans should be able to live without fear of these violent criminals, but… pic.twitter.com/r4thCUUQvx
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 18, 2025
Top DHS officials amplified the response. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Cooper of refusing to turn over more than 1,400 violent criminal non-citizens to ICE during his governorship and rejected his claim of racial profiling as “absurd and devoid of fact.” She argued that releasing such offenders inevitably leads to further victimization.
Firstly, @RoyCooperNC refused to turn over 1,400 violent criminal illegal aliens to ICE.
On his watch, when these public safety threats and predators are released back onto Charlotte’s streets they will reoffend & create more victims.
Second, illegal immigration is a crime… https://t.co/qmObq2By5X
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) November 18, 2025
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, overseeing the enforcement surge known as Operation Charlotte’s Web, defended the operation’s focus on repeat offenders — robbers, assailants, and impaired drivers — insisting that local and state leaders should partner with DHS rather than criticize it.
Kristi Noem discusses Operation Charlotte's Web, the latest immigration enforcement operation by DHS in Charlotte, NC:
"We're going after people who committed robberies, assaults, DUI's, getting them off the streets, keeping people safe. That is exactly what the leadership in… pic.twitter.com/hf9cS2rwy6
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) November 18, 2025
DHS also announced that the sweep had already led to more than 130 arrests in its first two days, including 44 individuals with serious criminal histories. The agency framed its approach as a necessary corrective to what it characterized as years of non-cooperation from state officials.
“As governor, Cooper allowed [the] release of 3,500 inmates early to settle litigation with the NAACP,” The Center Square noted. “He also vetoed legislation in 2019, 2022 and 2024 that would require local law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
The DHS pushback drew support from North Carolina Republicans, who accused Cooper of misleading the public about the immigration enforcement effort.
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