North Carolina has been the target of ICE raids for weeks. As border patrol blurs the lines between “legal” and “lawless,” Charlotte residents are scared. Tactics for detaining citizens range from random small business raids to stalking parking lots. Because of this, locals are now living in a constant state of paranoia. A recent TikTok video proves they have no issue with ignoring the rights of American citizens.
The video, posted by @statuscoup, shows video journalist Jon Farina and photojournalist Pierre. As the video pans, it shows two Border Patrol agents driving down a residential street. When the agents realize they’re being filmed, they stop and immediately walk over to the journalists’ car. They’re both questioned, and one agent says, “Is there a reason you’re following us?” As Farina explains who they are and what they’re doing, the same officer says, “You’re trying to impede federal operations right now.”
Before the journalists have a chance to respond, the agent adds, “So, if you do it again, you’re gonna get arrested.” This threat openly violates the First Amendment, which protects members of the press from government interference. Arresting a member of the media for recording or documenting news is illegal. However, for border patrol, it seems these laws don’t apply.
“My favorite part about these types of videos is the agents claiming 1) they are conducting an actual investigation. They aren’t. They are driving around with masks in unidentified cars, racially profiling Latino people. 2) Following them around and alerting people to their presence isn’t illegal and is in no way preventing them from snatching people,” one user comments on the video.
He adds, “Notice it’s always a ‘warning’ or at most, like the two women recently in NC, given a citation for honking their horns. These clowns are bloodthirsty, and we have a DOJ eager to charge anyone with crimes against ICE. If these actions were actually criminal, we would be seeing it.”
Other viewers of the video wholeheartedly agreed. “They won’t arrest anyone for this because their names will become public record in the court documents. Also, just repeat back to them 18 USC 241–conspiracy against rights,” another says. While the border patrol agents remain impossible to identify under their face masks, Charlotte locals remain vigilant.
