Some businesses experience impact from Border Patrol presence

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Nov. 15, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents arrived in Charlotte for an immigration operation they called “Charlotte’s Web.”

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 370 people have been arrested and 44 of them have a criminal record. The criminal records include aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, assault of a police officer, battery, driving under the influence, a hit and run and two alleged gang members, according to DHS.

While Charlotte officials said Thursday the operation had ended but U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement remained in Mecklenburg County, DHS said the operation was far from over. 

Some businesses closed down for a day or the entire week after the arrival of federal agents. Friday, at a shopping center in North Charlotte, several businesses remained closed. Others appeared closed but were mostly doing deliveries. 

Many businesses remain cautious after the mixed messaging from local officials and DHS.

Manolo Betancur, the owner of Manolo’s Bakery, who has been outspoken about his opposition to this operation, closed down his business almost a week ago. 

The area where his bakery is located became the site of demonstrations against the operation. Friday he joined state and local Democratic leaders, community members and faith leaders during a press conference denouncing the actions of CBP during the past week.

Betancur doesn’t have plans to reopen in the near future because he said he doesn’t trust federal agents. 

“The first place they attacked was Central Avenue so it’s not worth it. Let’s not risk it. I would rather lose one day of business, but I don’t want a kid to lose their father,” Betancur said.

He’s grateful for the community’s support despite being closed. He said he received $26,000 in donations and was able to make payroll and have some money left. 

Businesses including North Tryon Laundromat never closed, but customers are not frequenting it as usual.

Owner David Rebolloso said usually the shopping center where the laundromat is located is bustling with business. 

“This is an all-Hispanic shopping center. And, there’s a lot of activity here is a one-stop shop. There’s groceries and cell phone service and bakery and restaurants and laundry,” Rebolloso said.

On Sunday, the shopping center where the laundromat is located had CBP agents on site. Friday, several shops were closed and the ones that were open had little foot traffic. 

Rebolloso shared surveillance video of when CBP was present. It shows a man storming into the laundromat as a CBP agent appears to be chasing him. 

“When this customer started yelling, everybody followed behind him. That’s my wife right there. She ordered the front door to be locked,” Rebolloso said.

While DHS said the immigration enforcement operations around the country are an effort to remove the worst of the worst undocumented criminals from communities, Rebolloso doesn’t see it that way.

“I think they’re just racial profiling, really. You know, they’re just the they’re just throwing a wide net, and picking up whoever and then asking questions later,” Rebolloso said. 

He kept his business open this week but noticed the change.

“It’s dropped. It’s dropped significantly. Right now it’s pretty much empty but then again, it’s Friday morning, but overall it’s dropped at least at least half, at least half of my clients and if not more,” Rebolloso said.

He said the mixed messages about the CBP operation ending in Charlotte are likely political.

“They don’t want to give notices, you know, they want to keep people guessing and they want to keep people on their tiptoes, you know?” Rebolloso said.

He said these actions are ultimately hurting businesses in Charlotte.

“There’s no movement of commerce, there’s no activity, you know, because like I said, people are afraid to come out, and they’re not going to come out,” Rebolloso said.

He and many other business owners in the shopping center are not welcoming ICE or CBP to their businesses. Some even have posted signs stating ICE/CBP does not have consent to enter the building without a judicial warrant.

He said if business continues to be slow, he’ll only be able to stay in business for another six months. 

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