CMS is preparing for potential ICE raids
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Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo. Photo: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says it plans to provide staff with more immigration resources ahead of the upcoming school year, as educational institutions are newly susceptible to raids following a January change in federal policy.
Why it matters: Schools were designated as "protected areas" in 2021 by the Department of Homeland Security, discouraging enforcement in their vicinity. But the Trump administration rescinded that guidance earlier this year amid aggressive immigration crackdowns.
- CMS has not yet issued updated guidelines on what to do when immigration officials want to carry out a raid at a school.
- Some directives are in place for if an agent wants to speak with a student, most notably requiring a warrant.
Zoom out: Nationwide, ICE raids can exacerbate absenteeism in school, especially among Latino students, The Hill reported.
Zoom in: At CMS, absences among Hispanic students in the 2025-24 school year were up 9.6% compared to 2024-23, while absences across all student populations increased about 6.8%, according to district data.
Driving the news: In May, just before the end of the school year, ICE arrested two people near Charlotte East Language Academy, Spectrum News reported. ICE said that one was undocumented and had an extensive criminal history. ICE released no information on the other person.
- The image of a fleet of ICE vans outside the drop-off line sparked concern among some in the school community. Its PTA has since sought the school board's permission to distribute "Know Your Rights" flyers.
CMS' document, titled "Immigration - Educational Rights and Educator Guide," outlines the district's policies related to immigration.
What's inside: The top item is that schools cannot deny public education to undocumented students, meaning they cannot ask for immigration status.
- Staff cannot voluntarily report the status of students to law enforcement nor give legal advice to families.
- If an ICE official wants to speak with a student, a school administrator should document the agent's credentials and email a copy of the warrant to the General Counsel's Office.
- If a parent is deported or faces another type of enforcement, the guide recommends that staff consider connecting the students with a counselor.