Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education members are speaking out after a man was detained by federal immigration officials near the Charlotte East Language Academy on Monday, reportedly while driving a child to school.
At Tuesday night's board meeting, Board Chair Stephanie Sneed said the incident had caused “real fear, anxiety and confusion” in the community, and reiterated the board’s intention to create supportive and safe learning environments for students.
“We know that learning cannot happen where fear lives," Sneed said. "To our students and our families, we see you, we support you, you are not alone. And to our educators, thank you for being the steady hands and open hearts in times like these.”
Other board members commented on the incident on social media, with Liz Monterrey-Duvall writing that all students “deserve to feel safe, supported and protected, regardless of their immigration status.”
Melissa Easley wrote that the presence of ICE near a drop-off zone was "a violation of the trust our families place in schools as safe spaces."
The Trump administration has previously revised rules to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions on school grounds.
This incident took place roughly a half-mile from the school, but several members of the school community reported witnessing the incident during school drop-off, prompting concern and a note from the principal to parents.
In a collective statement released Tuesday, the CMS Board of Education said ICE officials have not attempted to conduct any operations on school grounds. The board reiterated that all students are entitled to a free, public education regardless of immigration status.
"Our commitment to the well-being of every student remains unwavering and we are dedicated to serving all students so that they can receive the best education possible for a promising future," the joint statement read.
