The line began forming hours before doors opened.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Dozens of people lined up outside a Charlotte office of the Department of Homeland Securityย on Tuesday, many waiting for required immigration check-ins or help with paperwork they say is critical to their cases.
Some told WCNC Charlotteย they arrived early in the morning, unsure how long the process would take โ or whether they would be seen at all.
The line began forming hours before doors opened, with people waiting for immigration check-ins or guidance on next steps. Several said missing an appointment was not an option.
โWhat are we supposed to do if you can’t talk to nobody?โ one person waiting in line said.
Others expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of communication from inside the building. Some immigrants said they waited outside with little information about the process or timeline, while a few said they camped overnight in hopes of receiving assistance, including mandatory check-ins.
โThey’re not coming outside to ask, โHey, were you here for what you need?โ You know, to move some people,โ another person waiting said.
Immigration attorneys say the confusion extends beyond those standing in line. Some told WCNC Charlotte theyโve also struggled to get clear or consistent information ahead of time, making it difficult to properly advise their clients.
Jennifer Benavides, an immigration attorney, said policy changes and limited communication have added to the frustration.
โOne of the most frustrating things is that they change up the policies every now and then, and attorneys are not given a good explanation as to why,โ Benavides said. โThatโs frustrating to us because it doesnโt give us good information on how to advise our clients.โ
Several people waiting said fear of missing a required check-in is what keeps them in line, worried about the consequences if they leave without answers.
โWe’re trying to do it the right way so that we can not be tagged as we didn’t want to come and do it the right way,โ one person said.
Benavides said attorneys are now advising clients to document their presence if they are not seen.
โWe’re advising them to take a picture with timestamps and then email DHS to show that they’ve been here and that they werenโt seen,โ she said.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to ask about staffing levels and the long wait times. As of publication, no response had been received.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X andย Instagram.
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