Student attendance has dropped in Charlotte, North Carolina, after large-scale immigration raids were conducted over the weekend. Nearly 21,000 students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were absent on Monday, according to WBTV. Border Patrol agents arrested 130 people as part of operation “Charlotte’s Web.” Some parents pointed to the raids as a reason for not sending their children to school and have called out what they consider a lack of information and safety regarding the issue.

Student attendance dropped despite the district saying schools would be open as usual

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials said 20,935 students across the 185 schools were absent on Monday. The figure represents 15% of students enrolled in the district. Among the student population, 31% are Hispanic, according to WBTV.

“We are aware of recent reports regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Charlotte,” CMS Assistant Communications Officer Tom Miner said in a statement. “Please know there has been no immigration enforcement activity on CMS property, and we have not received any notice that such actions are planned.”

“We will continue to closely monitor immigration enforcement activity in Mecklenburg County,” he added. “If an emergency situation on any of our campuses does arise, we will reconsider remote instruction at that time.”

Some parents are monitoring the situation to remedy a lack of information about the raids

Some parents have directly cited the raids as the reason for not sending their children to school on Monday. One said that Border Patrol agents were seen in a grocery parking lot across the street from her child’s school, while another said agents don’t schedule appointments, according to The Charlotte Observer. No information was shared regarding when the raids may come to an end.

A group of parents volunteered to monitor the area around Charlotte East Language Academy for any Border Patrol or ICE activity. Parent Adam McBroom said they were prompted to organize a watch group after a parent was arrested near the school in May.

“We’re just trying to keep an envelope around the school so that we know if ICE agents come,” he said. “We’re just here to observe and make sure everybody is informed and safe.”

“(Agents) coming to the campus is the nightmare scenario, and you never know what’s going to happen with the people in charge right now. I personally still worry about that,” McBroom added. “But, the more likely thing is what we’ve already experienced and what we’ve seen that they’re willing to do, which is to absolutely make life fearful for everyone around.”

The Mayor of Charlotte, Vi Lyles, said she was “deeply concerned” about the manner in which the immigration raids were being conducted.

“[T]he rights and constitutional protections of every person in Charlotte — regardless of immigration status — must be upheld. Our city has a long-standing commitment to fairness, dignity, and justice,” she said on Monday, according to WBTV.

“I urge all agencies operating here to conduct their work with respect for those values. We also recognize the emotional and economic impact these operations can have on families, neighborhoods, and local businesses. Charlotte is a diverse, vibrant city, and when any part of our community feels threatened or destabilized, it affects us all,” Lyles added.
The post Charlotte Schools See Nearly 21K Students Absent After Border Patrol Raids appeared first on Blavity.



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