Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on Thursday released a statement to families about “the safety, well-being, and education of every student” amid federal Border Patrol agents coming to Charlotte.
Two federal officials told Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden that U.S. border patrol agents could arrive in the city as early as Saturday, according to a Thursday news release. The agents will come to the city following a monthslong stay in Chicago, though McFadden said he does not know details of a planned operation here.
In its statement to all families Thursday, CMS said it has not received any official notice of plans to conduct immigration enforcement on any of its campuses.
“Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will continue to follow all federal and state laws that protect students’ rights to a public education,” it stated, later citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1982 decision in Plyler v. Doe. That ruling guaranteed all children have the right to attend public school for free, regardless of immigration status.
Border Patrol agents are expected to conduct an operation in Charlotte after spending time in Chicago. In this file photo, federal agents arrive at the Dirksen Federal Building to pick up US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino after his hearing at federal court in Chicago on October 28. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI AFP via Getty Images
The message also said CMS does not ask for a student’s immigration status upon enrollment, no district personnel are permitted to share student information unless required by law and that immigration officers cannot gain access to any personnel, students or private areas of the school without a verified warrant or subpoena.
“We want every family to feel confident that CMS is a place where students are supported and protected,” the message stated.
No immigration enforcement activities have taken place on a CMS campus, but the issue rose to public prominence when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained a parent near a drop-off line for Charlotte East Language Academy in May. At the time, the parent was not technically on school property.
While CMS laid out protocols for staff in the event agents come to campus, it has not clarified whether it will notify families of ICE or U.S. Border Patrol activity near its campuses.
Charlotte leaders also released a statement of support Wednesday for Charlotte’s immigrant communities.
“Our message is simple: Mecklenburg County and Charlotte are communities of belonging. We will stand together, look out for one another, and ensure that fear never divides the city we all home,” it stated. CMS Board Member Liz Monterrey Duvall was one of the local leaders who signed the letter.
Related Stories from Charlotte Observer
Rebecca Noel
The Charlotte Observer
Rebecca Noel reports on education for The Charlotte Observer. She’s a native of Houston, Texas, and graduated from Rice University. She later received a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. When she’s not reporting, she enjoys reading, running and frequenting coffee shops around Charlotte.
