Volunteers staying vigilant amid operation uncertainity

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg parents and volunteers said they’re staying vigilant, amid conflicting reports about border-enforcement operations coming to an end.  

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said federal officials told him the operation, dubbed “Charlotte’s Web,” was over.

But in a statement, the Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “The operation is not over and it is not ending anytime soon.”

Since Saturday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have been operating in Charlotte, a DHS effort that has led to over 300 arrests statewide.

Border-enforcement activities in Charlotte are prompting some parents and neighbors to organize informal patrols outside Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools.

Parent Sarah Ekis has a son enrolled in a CMS elementary school.

In response to the border operations, Ekis, parents and community members started patrolling near the school, keeping a watchful eye.

“We started the beginning of the week when we knew Border Patrol had arrived,” Ekis said. “We’ve got a patrol out here in the mornings, one in the afternoons. That’s the way I can help right now with being an ally.”

Ekis said the effort is about classmates whose families may be directly affected by the immigration enforcement.

“It’s less about [my son], more about his classmates and families impacted by it,” Ekis said. “It’s heavy, it’s a lot.”

Ekis says the operation’s impacts are showing up in her son’s kindergarten classroom.

“He’s mentioned his friends are all sick and not in school,” Ekis said. “He’s been pretty quiet about it, he doesn’t seem to know much of what’s going on. We’ve shielded him as much as we can, it’s scary.”

CMS officials say absences have climbed since federal agents arrived in the city.

The district reported over 30,000 students absent Monday, the first school day after Border Patrol began its operation in Charlotte. CMS said there were around 25,000 absent on Tuesday.

Parents and volunteers said they’ve noticed the same trends CMS has reported.

“The car rider line has been shorter in the morning. The pickup line [has] been shorter. The kids walking have been fewer,” Ekis said. “People are staying home because they’re scared.”

District leaders have stressed there has been no immigration enforcement on CMS property, but acknowledged the anxiety some families are feeling.

Ekis said word spread among parents that federal agents had possibly been seen near her son’s school, spiking concerns about school safety.

“My heart just kind of sank, like what’s going to happen,” Ekis said. “The great part about this community is we rallied together. We showed up with our whistles, ready to be on watch. It’s turned into a way for the neighbors to connect.”

Beth Clements is a neighbor and part of the patrol efforts and has been on watch since Monday morning.

Clements said she’s dedicated to helping those who are almost like family during these uncertain times.

“A wise man told me ‘who protects your neighborhoods? You protect your neighborhoods.’ This is my neighborhood, these are my kids. My granddaughter plays with kids that go to this school,” Clements said.

“I’m armed with a whistle. I have spent every day this week standing guard because with my white skin I have a privilege they do not have. I’ll use my privilege this way,” Clements said.

Uncertainty remains about how long the operation will last.

For Ekis and the other volunteers, that uncertainty is reason enough to keep showing up.

“I think we’ll keep doing it as long as there’s a need,” Ekis said. “As long as Border Patrol’s in town I think we’re going to keep doing it. I think part of the concern is reports saying they’re leaving, are they really leaving? We’re not letting our guard up until we’re sure.”

“This is a community I’ve lived in for a long time. I love Charlotte. Immigrants are a big part of this community, and I just don’t understand why what’s happening is happening,” Ekis said.

Ekis is encouraging families impacted by the operation to know there are people out there who want to help.

“Contact your school’s PTAs, [some] are rallying around and trying to find support for families, doing anything they can to help,” Ekis said.

“There are allies out there. We can do things like pick up groceries, prescriptions. We can help bring your kids to school. We’re happy to do those things,” Ekis said.

Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.