Burke County parents worry about ICE in schools

MORGANTON, N.C. — The Trump Administration’s crackdown on immigrants illegally in the U.S. has some parents afraid to send their kids to school.

President Donald Trump reversed a Biden Administration policy prohibiting immigration agents from making arrests at schools, churches, and hospitals.

In Burke County, the school district emailed more than 11,000 families district-wide to explain their policy on immigration. The district saw a large drop in attendance this week.

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty spoke with several concerned parents on Tuesday morning.

Some said their children are frightened that something could happen at their school.

A couple from Guatemala has two elementary school children in Morganton.

They read the school district’s explanation of what would happen if U.S. Immigration and Enforcement officers would show up at their school. They say some families are keeping their kids home.

“Yes, because they worry with all this,” a parent said. “I think it’s more important school has to be safe for them.”

The Burke County Public Schools district says ICE is authorized to make arrests, do interviews, and make document requests on school grounds.

The district assures families that student records and personal information are secure and will remain confidential unless a court-ordered warrant mandates disclosure.

If an officer attempts to access a student, school leaders will tell ICE that they cannot give permission or parental consent, and they will notify the superintendent and legal counsel.

However, Faherty said to note that if any law enforcement officer, including ICE, commands a school employee to produce a student, the employee will comply.

“Attendance yesterday was very low,” said Dr. Dillon Sain, the director of Student and Family Services. “Lower-than-normal. 83% attendance rate. Multiple schools had lots of students out. We felt it was time to reassure our families.”

Dr Lannie Simpson, the Multilingual Learner director said, “Inform families that ICE cannot access their students without parental consent unless it’s an absolute demand.”

In downtown Morganton, Faherty spotted a group protesting Tuesday.

Johanna Sanchez’s family is originally from Columbia. She has two children in school and is concerned about ICE showing up at any school.

“Why people aren’t more angry about it and they’re pro for it,” said Sanchez. “I thought we were always for protecting the kids.”

Channel 9 has not heard of ICE visiting any school in the area.

We reached out to them earlier Tuesday but have not heard back.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education says federal immigration action has not been carried out at schools. The board put out a statement Monday saying it will protect students’ rights to public education.

The board also re-issued districtwide guidance on students’ rights.

Employees cannot legally give out students’ or parents’ names, addresses, or migrant status.

CMS also says immigration officials need a court order or warrant to go on school property.

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