'Charlotte's Web' author's granddaughter slams DHS for using beloved title in immigration sweep

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA: EB White's granddaughter, Martha White, slammed the Trump administration on Monday, November 17 for naming the immigration raid in Charlotte, North Carolina, "Operation Charlotte's Web."

White, who also is the author's literary executor, criticized the administration's use of the children's book title, arguing her grandfather would have opposed to the methods and nature of the immigration sweeps.

Martha White condemns name and tactics of 'Operation Charlotte's Web'

Martha White said her grandfather, the author of 'Charlotte's Web', would not have supported the immigration sweeps happening in Charlotte and across the country. She emphasized his belief in due process and the rule of law, directly challenging the methods employed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the operation.

"He certainly didn't believe in masked men, in unmarked cars, raiding people's homes and workplaces without IDs or summons," Martha White said in a statement.

She also provided a contrasting theme to the name of the operation by reminding the public that in the book, the spider Charlotte devoted her life to protecting the pig Wilbur and securing his freedom.

Border patrol official quotes 'Charlotte's Web' to justify sweep

Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official overseeing “Operation Charlotte’s Web” and previously involved with “Operation At Large” in Los Angeles and “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, quoted 'Charlotte’s Web' in a social media post shortly after the sweep began. “Wherever the wind takes us. High, low. Near, far. East, west. North, south. We take to the breeze, we go as we please,” Bovino posted on Sunday.

Then, he linked this quote to the operation: "This time, the breeze hit Charlotte like a storm. From border towns to the Queen City, our agents go where the mission calls."

The sweep, which began over the weekend, netted upward of 130 migrants in a two-day period, according to the DHS, which added that nearly 1,400 detainers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been unhonored by local authorities.

Local authorities of Charlotte pledge resistance from 'Operation Charlotte's Web'

In response to the federal operation, local and state officials vowed to fight against the sweeps and stand up for the migrant community. In response, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Jerrell and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Chair Stephanie Sneed issued a joint statement to contend that raids are "causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community as recent operations in other cities have resulted in people without criminal records being detained and violent protests being the result of unwarranted actions." 

They collectively said, "Our organizations believe that our diversity makes us stronger," and added, "We want people in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to know we stand with all residents who simply want to go about their lives, contributing to our larger community." Meanwhile, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also opposed the operation, saying it is "stoking fear and dividing our community."