Chicago Teacher Placed on Leave Over Facebook Post Expressing Support for ICE

A Chicago-area elementary school teacher has been placed on administrative leave after expressing support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on his personal Facebook page.

According to Fox News, the teacher, who was employed at Gary Elementary School in West Chicago, posted a brief message last week that read: “GO ICE.”

The post quickly sparked backlash from activists in the school’s predominantly Hispanic community, who organized an online campaign calling for the teacher’s removal.

A flyer circulated on social media alongside a Change.org petition demanding that the district terminate the teacher and urging parents to keep their children home from school as a form of protest. One parent wrote in a public post:

“To be clear — I will be keeping my kids home in solidarity with families in our community and across the country who are living in fear because of ICE, and as a clear message to [redacted] that what he posted is not acceptable to me. This is not about forcing the district to act prematurely or bypass due process—which could invite costly federal litigation or a national spotlight that brings ICE back to terrorize our community.

I do believe [redacted] needs to fully feel how hurtful and alienating his words were. An empty school makes it unmistakable that his views do not align with this community. Ideally, that discomfort will lead him to choose employment elsewhere—without the district being pressured to violate due process or risk inviting additional danger into our community. He must be held accountable for the harm caused, even as we allow proper process to run its course. I trust the district to handle this responsibly and with care.”

Fox News Digital reported that it could not independently verify the Facebook post, noting that the teacher’s account appears to have been deleted.

In an email to parents obtained by Fox News Digital, West Chicago Elementary School District 33 Superintendent Kristina Davis stated that the teacher initially submitted a resignation on Friday but later withdrew it before the school board could take action. As a result, he reported to work on Monday.

“The district has obtained legal counsel to conduct an investigation beginning on Monday,” Davis wrote.

“The district will share additional information as appropriate. District 33 remains committed to providing safe, caring, and inclusive learning environments for all students. Thank you for your continued partnership.”

By Monday afternoon, the district confirmed that the teacher had been placed on administrative leave following a meeting with district leadership.

“On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the District learned of concerns regarding a disruptive social media comment made by a District employee on his personal account,” the district said in a statement.

The statement added, “Following a meeting with District administration today, the employee involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation and will not be permitted on any District property while on leave.”

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