More Than 30,000 Students in One North Carolina School District Skipped Class on Monday amid ICE Raids

A school district in North Carolina appears to be feeling the effects of recent immigration enforcement operations in Charlotte.

A representative for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) said that 30,339 students were reported absent from district schools on Monday, Nov. 17.

The district initially estimated the number closer to 21,000, but noted that the figure is still unofficial. The final count may change as officials clarify whether preschool students are included, how virtual learners are counted, and other enrollment factors.

According to data from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools cited by WBTV, 31% of the student population in the area identifies as Hispanic.

The sharp drop in attendance came on the heels of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the region under a plan announced as “Operation Charlotte’s Web” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Saturday, Nov. 15.

NBC News reported that several businesses closed their doors during the operation as ICE agents moved into the area to “target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to the Tar Heel State,” according to a DHS release.

In response to mounting concern, CMS publicly reassured families on Sunday, Nov. 16, that schools would remain open for in-person learning.

“Please know there has been no immigration enforcement activity on CMS property, and we have not received any notice that such actions are planned,” CMS Assistant Communications Officer Tom Miner said in a Facebook video. “Therefore, schools will operate on a normal, in-person schedule tomorrow. We will continue to closely monitor immigration enforcement activity in Mecklenburg County.”

Miner added that if there were “an emergency situation” at any district campus, officials would “reconsider remote instruction at that time.” He also emphasized that the district “does not ask about immigration or citizenship status during enrollment,” and does not “share student information unless required by law.”

He further stated that “immigration officials cannot access staff, students, or private areas without a valid warrant or subpoena.”

The attendance drop follows reports that many individuals were detained by ICE at restaurants, grocery stores, Home Depot parking lots and an east Charlotte church, according to The Charlotte Observer.

The Department of Homeland Security said that more than 200 people were detained in the first three days of “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles addressed the raids in a press conference on Monday, speaking directly to President Donald Trump in her remarks.

“The city of Charlotte is one where we believe in fairness and dignity, and we are one of the largest cities in the country and we work very hard to do it right,” Lyles said, per WCNC. “If I were to talk to the president, I would say to him, ‘Look at our city, look at our people,’ and make sure that he has the understanding that all of you and I have.”

She urged Charlotte residents to prioritize safety, saying, “Let’s do whatever we can to be safe.”

Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell also confirmed that ICE activity had extended beyond Charlotte, saying that immigration authorities had moved into the state capital on Monday night with plans for raids on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

“While the Raleigh Police Department is not involved in immigration enforcement, we are committed to protecting our residents and to following the law,” Cowell said in a statement, according to The News & Observer. “I can confirm that RPD has not participated in any immigration planning activities.”

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein denounced the statewide raids on X on Monday night.

“Once again, I call on federal agents to target violent criminals, not neighbors walking down the street, going to church, or putting up Christmas decorations,” Stein wrote. “Stop targeting people simply going about their lives because of the color of their skin, as you are doing in Charlotte.”

He also urged residents in Raleigh to “remain peaceful, and if you see something wrong, record it and report it to local law enforcement.”