WCCB pushes for answers about staffing at Charlotte DHS office

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Immigrants frequently camp outside the Charlotte Department of Homeland Security office because of long wait times for mandatory immigration check-in appointments. There were at least 40 people outside Wednesday night. Many believe it is a staffing problem.

WCCB asked the Department of Homeland Security why there are long wait times at this office.

Spokesman Lindsay Williams says, “Long lines outside the facility are a direct reflection of misinformation and lies shared throughout the illegal alien and activist community…”

North Carolina Congresswoman Alma Adams voted against a funding package for DHS Tuesday. She said she’s heard of irregular hours at the Charlotte office and believes the staffing issues stem from big government cuts.

“We’ve lost just think about it over 300,000 federal employees and I’m sure that we’ve lost some from this agency as well,” Congresswoman Adams said. “That’s made government anything but efficient.”

DHS Spokesman Lindsay Williams says immigrants who don’t want to deal with long wait times should self-deport back to their home country for $2,600 using the CBP Home App.

“It just seems like some of it’s just really intentional and they’re really not trying to help people,” Congresswoman Adams said. “They’re really trying to hurt them and this is the way you get your numbers up. If they’re looking for numbers to get people out of the country.”

Congresswoman Adams says she will be asking DHS to explain why people have been subjected to sleeping outdoors without bathrooms.

“That’s just really cruel. That’s inhumane. I’m sure it’s creating health situations as well,” Congresswoman Adams said.

DHS says immigrants who don’t want to wait in long lines for mandatory check-ins can use the QR code on the door to re-schedule their appointments. WCCB walked through the ICE appointment scheduler and after entering the I-385 number and selecting the Charlotte office the system said there were no appointments available for the next month and gave the number 704-672-2969 for additional instructions.

Carolina Migrant Network and local churches have been visiting the office to deliver supplies for people camping outside the office.

A county commissioner says she asked staff to check on people, but they only saw three people at the time who appeared to be “prepared.” There were at least 40 people outside Wednesday night at 10pm and at least 12 outside on Tuesday night at 10pm.

WCCB has asked DHS for more details about staffing at the Charlotte office. We are still waiting to hear back.