CMS to Prepare Staff with ICE Resources Ahead of New School Year

Current guidelines require immigration agents to present a warrant before interacting with a student.

Group of high school students writing a test in the classroom. — Source: skynesher / Getty

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools plans to provide staff with additional immigration-related resources before the start of the new school year, responding to a recent federal policy change that makes schools more vulnerable to immigration enforcement.

Previously, schools were designated as “protected areas” under 2021 Department of Homeland Security guidance, discouraging immigration agents from conducting enforcement activities on school grounds. That policy was rescinded earlier this year by the Trump administration, raising concerns about potential raids on campuses.

While CMS has not yet issued updated district-wide procedures, current guidelines require immigration agents to present a warrant before interacting with a student. The district is expected to strengthen and clarify its protocols in the coming months.

Attendance data suggests the policy shift may already be affecting students. Absences among Hispanic students rose by 9.6% during the 2024–25 school year, compared to a 6.8% increase across all student groups, according to CMS figures.

Source: Axios Charlotte