A single, 21-word social media post sent parents into a frenzy Monday in Edgecombe County, causing widespread fear that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were pulling children from classrooms in the county's school district.
The post, which falsely claimed that all Mexican students were being called to the office, quickly circulated online, prompting anxious calls from parents and community members.
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"I just prayed to God that we can fix this because we cannot continue going on as a nation with fear in people's hearts like we saw today," said Edgecombe County Sheriff Cleveland Atkinson.
While the post caused panic, there was no truth to the allegations. School officials clarified that students were being called to the office for pre-scheduled ESL (English as a Second Language) testing, not ICE-related activities.
Reports of false ICE raids have become a growing trend in North Carolina in the weeks after President Donald Trump's inauguration. The Trump administration had announced a sweeping immigration agenda, from revoking deportation protections from residents from Central and South American countries to attempting to end birthright citizenship and announcing mass deportations.
The fear has caused several residents to visit the Mexican Consulate in Raleigh to make sure they have proper documentation and the Wake County Public School System announced guidance for principals in the district if immigration enforcement does show up at schools
In central North Carolina, Siembra NC and other immigration rights organizations created hotlines for people to call or text with their concerns. The group said they received hundreds of calls in the first few days of the administration.
However, the rumors continued to spread and Sergio Bentiz, president of Latinos Activate of Johnston County, said they are beginning to take an emotional tool.
“I never imagined that we would live in this moment," Bentiz said, visibly upset. "They're so afraid to even go to school."
The Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office quickly stepped in to address the misinformation. Sheriff Atkinson reassured the public that there was no connection between the school’s activities and ICE enforcement.
“When children are scared, it's up to all of us to ensure they can go to school and be in a safe environment," Atkinson said.
To further combat the growing tension, the sheriff encouraged residents to contact his office directly if they have concerns about potential ICE threats in local schools.