...
By Mandy Taheri
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday lodged a detainer on the suspect in Friday’s Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail stabbing, Oscar Solarzano**.** Official court documents reviewed by Newsweek and local police spell the suspect’s last name Solarzano, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and some federal officials write it as Solorzano-Garcia.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a Saturday statement, “Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the county will honor the detainer since they have a history of not cooperating with ICE.” The agency has repeatedly called out “sanctuary” jurisdictions, criticizing some of not honoring detainers.
Newsweek has reached out to ICE and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for comment and clarification via email on Sunday.
Read More on News
Why It Matters
ICE’s detainer and online conversation about Solarzano's immigration status come weeks after federal immigration agents carried out Operation Charlotte’s Web in mid-November, a sweeping crackdown that drew backlash from residents and city leaders. At the time of the operation’s launch, DHS said that “nearly 1,400 detainers across North Carolina have not been honored—releasing criminal illegal aliens into North Carolina’s neighborhoods.”
President Donald Trump has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history and has used law enforcement to crack down on crime and illegal immigration. The current detained population is around 65,000, per ICE’s data published on November 21.
The stabbing comes just four months after Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was stabbed and killed on a Blue Line train in Charlotte. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown Jr., has been charged with her murder.
...
What To Know
Late Friday afternoon, around 4:50 p.m. local time, law enforcement responded to an emergency call related to an assault on the Charlotte light rail. The individual who was stabbed was transported to a local hospital and as of Friday night was in “critical but stable condition,” the police previously told Newsweek.
Solarzano was identified by police as the suspect and is in custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). He is charged with five counts, including attempted first-degree murder, assault with deadly weapon serious injury and carrying concealed weapon, the police department said. The arrest warrant, reviewed by Newsweek, noted that Solarzano had a "large, fixed blade knife" and "inflicted serious injury."
The arrest warrant also stated that Solarzano had challenged the victim to a fight, was reportedly "unintelligible" and using "slurred" words. One of his charges is for being "intoxicated and disruptive."
What We Know About Solarzano’s Immigration Status
In court documents obtained by Newsweek, a Mecklenburg District Court judicial official marked a box stating they were "unable to determine the defendant is a citizen or legal resident of the United States."
In a second box, the judicial official wrote, "The defendant is an illegal and has been deported previously. Bond can only be set by district court judge." The suspect is ordered to provide fingerprints and a DNA sample prior to release, the document states.
Trump, along with several North Carolina politicians, quickly noted Solarzano’s immigration status, writing in a Saturday Truth Social post, “Another stabbing by an Illegal Migrant in Charlotte, North Carolina. What’s going on in Charlotte? Democrats are destroying it, like everything else, piece by piece!!! President DJT.”
The DHS announced they placed an ICE detainer on him, but several DHS officials, including Noem and Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin noted that the county may not collaborate on it. Detainers are typically lodged against "potentially dangerous aliens" who have been arrested by another agency and may be "removable" from the U.S., per ICE's website. The detainer essentially requests law enforcement to notify ICE as early as possible before they "release a removable alien," as well as hold the individual for up to 48 hours longer so DHS can assume custody.
If local law enforcement doesn't honor the detainer, DHS officers "pursue the alien in the community."
DHS said in a Saturday statement that Solarzano “was issued a final order of removal by an immigration judge in 2018 and removed by the Trump Administration on March 9, 2018.” He then reportedly illegally crossed the border again and was apprehended in 2021 and removed. “He entered the country illegally for a third time at an unknown date and location,” the agency said.
McLaughlin said the suspect is from Honduras and noted that his “criminal history includes prior arrests for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, destroying evidence, resisting arrest, using a false ID, and convictions for robbery and illegally re-entry.”
...
What People Are Saying
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a Saturday statement: “This heinous stabbing by this twice removed illegal alien should have NEVER happened. ICE lodged an arrest detainer to ensure Oscar Gerardo Solorzano-Garcia is not released back into North Carolina neighborhoods. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the county will honor the detainer since they have a history of not cooperating with ICE. Under President Trump, ICE is being unleashed to ensure public safety for all Americans. Make no mistake: We will not rest until every depraved criminal illegal alien is removed from our communities.”
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles wrote in a Saturday night X post: “Everyone deserves to be and feel safe in our city, and there is no room for violence in our community. We have invested heavily in increasing security on our transit system and CMPD has been proactive in increasing its presence across our city, including announcing a new multi-agency effort this week. There are several aspects of public safety that are outside of the city’s jurisdiction, including immigration policy and enforcement, but we will continue to focus on public safety and ensuring a safe and vibrant community.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an X post Saturday night: “An illegal immigrant who was previously deported is now accused of attempted murder for stabbing a man on the Charlotte Light Rail this week. This is just MONTHS AFTER the horrific murder of Iryna Zarutska. @POTUS is right… ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. We need justice NOW!”
Michael Whatley, former RNC chair and Republican North Carolina Senate candidate, said in a lengthy X post on Saturday: “A person was viciously stabbed on the Charlotte light rail last night and seriously injured. The suspect? Oscar Solarzano—an illegal alien known to law enforcement. This is Roy Cooper's legacy. While Governor, he BLOCKED legislation which would have forced sheriffs to work with ICE - leaving North Carolinians vulnerable.”
Representative Mark Harris, a North Carolina Republican, said in an X post Saturday: “Meet the illegal alien charged with stabbing someone on a Charlotte Light Rail last night. Oscar Solarzano was previously deported and then illegally entered our country AGAIN.”
**North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, said in an X post Friday night: "**I just spoke with Chief Patterson about the horrific stabbing on the light rail this evening. Please join me in praying for the full recovery of the victim. I am pleased that Chief Patterson was already surging law enforcement throughout Charlotte with Operation Safe Season, and I am grateful to the state law enforcement agencies that are assisting the operation. Public safety is a top priority for us all."
What Happens Next?
Solarzano will appear before the court on Monday, December 8 at 10 a.m. local time, according to court documents.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines