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U visa holder arrested without warrant during North Carolina immigration enforcement sweep

Feb 24, 2026 · NC

Ruben Arguera Lopez, 39, a cook who holds a U visa for crime victims who assist law enforcement, was arrested without a warrant by ICE and CBP agents during immigration enforcement operations in North Carolina. He has lived in Charlotte for 15 years and obtained humanitarian protection after helping law enforcement investigate a serious crime. He is one of five plaintiffs—including four U.S. citizens—in a federal class-action lawsuit filed in February 2026 against the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, CBP, and Border Patrol, alleging that agents made warrantless arrests without probable cause. The lawsuit covers arrests made between January 20 and October 15, 2025, during which ICE arrested 3,304 people in North Carolina, more than 2.8 times the total during the same period in 2024.

Timeline

Feb 24, 2026Federal class-action lawsuit filed against DHS, ICE, CBP, and Border Patrol on behalf of five plaintiffs including Ruben Arguera Lopez, alleging warrantless arrests without probable cause
Oct 15, 2025ICE enforcement operations conclude; 3,304 people arrested in North Carolina during the period
Jan 20, 2025Immigration enforcement operations begin in North Carolina under Trump administration
Late 2025 or Early 2026Ruben Arguera Lopez arrested without warrant by ICE agents during North Carolina enforcement sweep

Sources

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