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Resistance Is Real - 30K students actually absent Monday from Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools despite initial reports, officials say
20/11/25
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Nov. 18, 2025
20K students initially reported absent Monday amid Border Patrol operation
Watch clip here: https://www.wbtv.com/2025/11/18/over-30k-charlotte-mecklenburg-students-absent-monday-school-officials-say/
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Over 30,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg School students were actually absent on Monday, officials said -- an increase of nearly 9,500 from what was first reported.
Update: Over 56K students absent in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to start the week, officials say
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on Tuesday, Nov. 18 said that 30,399 students were absent from school on Monday, Nov. 17. Officials initially reported that 20,935 students were absent on Monday.
According to the district, the number of absences was updated overnight Monday into Tuesday. The new number -- nearly 30,399 -- was reportedly unofficial.
The data still needed to be finalized by the state, the district said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools did not say whether the absences were connected to a Border Patrol operation underway in the city.
Hundreds of students stage walkouts
Border Patrol agents launched an immigration operation in Charlotte and surrounding areas on Saturday, Nov. 15. The operation, dubbed “Charlotte’s Web.”
Hundreds of students staged walkouts on Tuesday to protest the federal immigration operation. The walkouts happened across four different schools in the area.
Students from East Mecklenburg High School, Philip O. Berry Academy, Ballantyne Ridge High School, and Northwest School of the Arts left class to protest.
“I think this is a direct contact for students to be able to say something and voice their opinion in a positive way,” said parent Portia Jones.
“Operation Charlotte’s Web”
Border Patrol agents were seen in Charlotte over the past few days as part of their immigration operation “Charlotte’s Web.”
During the first two days of the operation, 130 people had been arrested, including a “record-breaking” 81 arrests on Saturday.
“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,” a spokesperson with the Department of Homeland Security said.
Some North Carolina lawmakers and residents are in support of the immigration operation, while others believe it’s just creating more fear.
North Carolina’s governor released a video on Sunday, and he accused Border Patrol agents of “stoking fear” and “racially profiling and picking up random people.” In a statement shared Monday, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles told those “feeling anxious or fearful” that they are “not alone.”
[Top photo:Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools did not say if the absences were connected to the ongoing immigration operation in the city.]
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