Businesses take steps to protect employees, customers from Border Patrol

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An East Charlotte business owner says Border Patrol agents profiled and harassed him inside his barbershop. A video of the interaction shows Border Patrol agents question Johnny Baez about his citizenship inside his business.

He spoke to us using a translator. He says agents first approached him Wednesday in the parking lot to ask about someone else. Baez says he showed his ID, but they also asked for his birth certificate.

“They followed him to arrest him, even though he didn’t do anything. He was just defending a coworker when they were actually legal,” Baez said through a translator. “I told them outside they cannot come in because this is a private business even though they did come in.”

The agents eventually left after pressure from people inside and outside the barbershop.

Workers at C Town Express grocery store are keeping the doors locked, but the store is open for business. The workers came up with a plan to protect employees and customers.

“We can see them coming from all angles since we have such a wide view,” Yanill Vargas from C Town Express said. “Then our customers can feel safe that while they’re shopping, the door is closed and nobody’s coming in.”

Operation Charlotte’s Web agents say they’ve arrested more than 370 people in five days.

“They’re taking hard working people that aren’t bothering anybody actually helping our community,” Vargas said.

A video circulating on social media shows some agents appearing to leave town. There are conflicting reports about the status of the operation, however federal agents have the authority to arrest people outside of the operation. Community volunteers are still helping people get to school and work safely.

“We are not going anywhere and we are growing because as we’re standing here, people are asking us what we’re doing and who we’re working with and how they can get involved,” Volunteer Desiree said.