The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Board of Education stated that there have been no immigration actions on any of its school campuses, in response to growing concerns from the immigrant community about the raids and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
“The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education understands that the recent news on the potential enforcement activity of the immigration law may be creating anxiety for some of our families, including misinformation that federal immigration enforcement actions have taken place in CMS schools; that is not the case,” the Board said in a statement released on the afternoon of Monday, February 3.
Since President Trump took office, countless videos and photographs have been spread on social media of alleged ICE agent operations in neighborhoods, schools and commercial areas in Charlotte, as well as in other locations in North Carolina, which have generated panic among the immigrant community.
“Our priority is and always will be the safety, well-being, and education of all students in our schools. We are deeply committed to serving and protecting all students so they can receive the best possible education for a promising future,” the statement said.
Related: Liz Monterrey says CMS schools are preparing for possible ICE raids
Board reiterates use of old immigration guide
The Board noted that due to the current state of uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement, a new order has been issued guide long-established districtwide policy on protected student rights and how to interact with immigration officers entering CMS property.
“We want to assure our families and students that regardless of any changes in federal policy, CMS will continue to comply with federal statutes, state statutes, and Board policies that protect all of our students’ rights to a public education,” the statement said.
He also cited, the landmark 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v Doe, which determined that immigrant students, including undocumented ones, have a constitutional right to free public education.
Monterrey urges to advocate for immigration reform
Recently, Elizabeth “Liz” Monterrey, the only Latina member of the Board, stated to various English-language media outlets that the CMS was preparing for possible raids due to changes in the new administration's immigration policies.
Monterrey cited today in its account Instagram, the Board of Education's statement, and urged the community to join her in advocating for comprehensive immigration reform and fully funded public education.
What the current CMS guidance says
The guidance emphasizes that ICE officers are not allowed on school campuses unless they have a court order or an arrest warrant signed by a judge.
- Compliance O-ELX and the regulations that accompany it O-ELX/R. These are policies established since 1970, and updated in 1996.
- CMS employees are legally required to safeguard the confidentiality of personally identifiable information, including student name, parent name, address, telephone number, migrant status, homeless status, and English language proficiency level, except as required by federal law under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- When enrolling a student, schools cannot ask for immigration status, residence status, citizenship or social security number.
- School employees cannot voluntarily report students' undocumented status to police.
- Immigration officials are not permitted in our schools unless they have a court order or a legally sufficient court order issued and signed by a judge. Immigration officials will be denied access to students and student records, or any information without a signed court order or a properly issued court order.
Finally, the Board assured that it will be monitoring any changes at the federal level that may impact this guidance.
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