Over 30,000 Students Miss Class in NC Amid Surge in ICE Raids

More than 30,000 students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County reportedly did not attend school on Monday, Nov. 17

This comes as ICE raids in North Carolina have increased with 'Operation Charlotte's Web' Local officials have condemned the ICE raids, which the Department of Homeland Security said detained more than 200 people

One school district in North Carolina appears to be feeling the impact of the recent ICE raids in Charlotte.

A representative for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools tells PEOPLE that 30,339 students were reported absent from their schools on Monday, Nov. 17.

CMS, who originally reported the number as being close to 21,000, added that this reporting remains unofficial as a variety of factors go into the official count, such as whether or not this includes preschool-aged children, whether students doing virtual learning are counted and more.

WBTV noted that 31% of the student population in the area identifies as Hispanic, per data from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

The sudden fall in student participation on Monday followed a recent increase in ICE raids in the area under a plan announced as "Operation Charlotte’s Web" by The Department of Homeland Security on Saturday, Nov. 15.

NBC News reported that multiple businesses shuttered during the raids as ICE agents moved into the area to "target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to the Tar Heel State," per the DHS release.

The announcement of the ICE operation prompted the CMS school district to publicly share on Sunday Nov. 16, that schools would continue in person this week.

“Please know there has been no immigration enforcement activity on CMS property, and we have not received any notice that such actions are planned,” CMS Assistant Communications Officer Tom Miner said in a Facebook video. “Therefore, schools will operate on a normal, in-person schedule tomorrow. We will continue to closely monitor immigration enforcement activity in Mecklenburg county.”

Miner added that if there was “an emergency situation” at any of the district’s campuses, the authorities would “reconsider remote instruction at that time.” He added that the school district “does not ask about immigration or citizenship status during enrollment,” and does not “share student information unless required by law.”

Miner also stated that, “Immigration officials cannot access staff, students, or private areas without a valid warrant or subpoena.”

The reported drop in student numbers comes after many were detained by ICE in restaurants, grocery stores, Home Depot parking lots and an east Charlotte church, reported The Charlotte Observer.

The Department of Homeland Security tells PEOPLE that more than 200 people were detained in the first three days of "Operation Charlotte's Web."

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles spoke out in a Monday press conference, and directly addressed Donald Trump over the raids.

“The city of Charlotte is one where we believe in fairness and dignity, and we are one of the largest cities in the country and we work very hard to do it right,” Lyles said, per WCNC. “If I were to talk to the president, I would say to him, ‘Look at our city, look at our people,’ and make sure that he has the understanding that all of you and I have.”

In a message to Charlotte residents, she added, “Let’s do whatever we can to be safe.”

Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell said that ICE had moved into the state's capital city on Monday night with plans for raids on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

“While the Raleigh Police Department is not involved in immigration enforcement, we are committed to protecting our residents and to following the law,” Cowell said in a statement, per The News & Observer. "I can confirm that RPD has not participated in any immigration planning activities.”

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein condemned the raids across the state on X on Monday night.

“Once again, I call on federal agents to target violent criminals, not neighbors walking down the street, going to church, or putting up Christmas decorations,” Stein wrote. “Stop targeting people simply going about their lives because of the color of their skin, as you are doing in Charlotte.”

He also urged the residents in Raleigh to “remain peaceful, and if you see something wrong, record it and report it to local law enforcement.”