DHS says immigrants should self-deport to avoid long wait times for appointments

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said immigrants who are sleeping outside the Charlotte DHS office because of long wait times for appointments should self-deport to avoid situations like this.

Immigrants desperate to be seen for annual immigration check-ins have been sleeping outside of the DHS office on Tyvola Center Drive in Southwest Charlotte in recent weeks. Becca O’Neill, co-founder of Carolina Migrant Network and Immigration Attorney says this happens year round in extreme weather.

“It’s not only the cold. I’ve been there when it’s the heat of the summer. People are out there exposed to the sun, hot pregnant people, elderly people, children in like the heat and now this cold,” O’Neill said.

O’Neill says all immigrants report for check ins annually which overwhelms the system creating long wait times. Appointments are scheduled Tuesdays to Thursdays between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

“Department of Homeland Security requires almost everyone to check in, it’s just way too many people checking in than it seems that they have the capacity to see,” O’Neill said.

In a statement to WCCB, a regional spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security says long lines are a “direct reflection of misinformation and lies shared throughout the illegal alien and activist community.”

He goes on to write, “there are clear alternatives available, contacting the non-detained unit duty email, working through legal counsel, or using posted QR codes to resolve many issues without seeing an officer.”

The statement goes on to say, “To avoid situations like this, illegal aliens can take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now.”

Carolina Migrant Network represents immigrants who can’t afford attorneys. They caution their clients not to sleep at the office overnight and recommend immigrants document their attempt to comply with appointments.

“Take a selfie outside the office when they get there and then email it to me, or just text it to me and give it to me so I have a timestamp, right? And then if you are sent away because you can’t get seen, then do another selfie and timestamp it and send it to me,” O’Neill said.

WCCB reached out to Mecklenburg County Commissioners about this public health issue. A Commissioner replied and said that the Deputy County Manager is now aware of the situation and staff have been directed to meet the needs of people sleeping outside with blankets and heaters if possible.

Since our story aired, volunteers have been stopping by the office to bring people warm drinks, food and and blankets while they wait.