Charlotte Area Schools Report Over 30,000 Absences Following Weekend of ICE Arrests [WATCH]

More than 30,000 students were absent from classes on Monday in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools District as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations increased in the region, according to district data.

The absences occurred as federal authorities carried out “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” an initiative launched by the Department of Homeland Security over the weekend.

DHS officials reported that the operation produced more than 200 detentions across the area in its first days.

WBTV reported that federal agents made 81 arrests on Saturday, describing the total as “record-breaking,” with more than 130 illegal immigrants arrested within the first 48 hours of enforcement activity.

School officials said the absences were concentrated in neighborhoods and campuses with higher Latino enrollment.

Current district data shows that 31 percent of the district’s more than 140,000 students identify as Hispanic.

Teachers across multiple schools reported unusually low attendance beginning Monday morning.

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One teacher at an east Charlotte elementary school said that only four of his 16 students were present.

He explained that families told him parents were keeping children home due to fears of deportation as enforcement actions increased in surrounding communities.

🚨#BREAKING: A Charlotte NC elementary teacher has just admitted on live TV that of his classroom of 16 students, only 4 showed up to school after immigration raids in the city.

The school district is now confirming that 21% of all students did not show up.

This is insane… pic.twitter.com/5TkS3ykXUa

— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) November 19, 2025

Similar reports came from other schools across the district, with absentee rates reaching 65 percent in some buildings.

Families asked the district to move classes online temporarily while ICE operations continued, but the request was denied during a CMS school board meeting on Tuesday, according to WCNC.

Board members did not approve any schedule changes or emergency remote learning plans.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security released a statement listing criminal histories tied to some of the individuals arrested during the operation.

The statement said, “Criminal records of those arrested include known gang membership, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, felony larceny, simple assault, hit-and-run, possession of stolen goods, shoplifting, DUI, DWI, and illegal re-entry after prior deportation—a felony.”

District officials said there had been no immigration enforcement activity on school campuses and noted that federal authorities did not conduct operations or arrests at any district facilities.

School administrators said they are continuing to monitor attendance levels while communicating with families about the status of school operations.