CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said it worked with the U.S. Forest Service on Sunday in Caldwell County to arrest 13 people who were in the country illegally.
Channel 9 reported on Monday about the operation at Wilson Creek over the weekend.
Many had criminal histories, including DUI convictions and illegal entry, agency officials said.
Wilson Creek attracts families from as far away as Charlotte looking for a place to swim and gather during the summer.
A woman who visited the creek on Tuesday believes the Department of Homeland Security went too far in targeting an area where Hispanics gather on the weekend.
“I feel like it’s becoming more of a common thread that now even in peaceful places where families should be able to feel safe and enjoy time together,” said the woman, who didn’t want to be identified.
Sandra Salazar is the founder of Hands of Hope in Morganton, and went to Wilson Creek on Sunday, where she says she captured this video of people in custody being transported out of the national forest. She says several of their cars were also towed. Salazar says after the road reopened, she found people hiding in the woods and along the creek.
“A gentleman stopped and asked for help, and he said, ‘The people that were with me are no longer with me, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t know where my family is,’” she said.
The sheriff says no children were separated from their families during the enforcement action.
DHS said in a statement, “All of the illegal aliens arrested have or will receive full due process. They will remain in ICE custody pending their removal.”
Marvin Oliver lives in Caldwell County and visited the creek with his family on Tuesday and believes more needs to be done by our leaders.
“Our senators and representatives have the ability to change it by changing the laws,” Oliver said. “And until they do, you can’t pick and choose which laws you obey.”
The sheriff says they routinely patrol Wilson Creek on the weekends and holidays and assist during the operation. He says deputies here did not take anyone into custody.
DHS’ statement went on to day, “Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to 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. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
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