...
By Mandy Taheri
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A teacher from a West Chicago elementary school has been put on administrative leave over a social media post in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Superintendent Kristina Davis told families and staff in a statement obtained by Newsweek.
Why It Matters
Dismissals over political comments made on social media have surged in recent months, with a big wave of dismissals and upset over Charlie Kirk’s death as state agencies, universities and local school districts moved against employees over comments deemed offensive or inappropriate. In higher education alone, dozens of staff members were fired. Lawsuits have emerged in several states from employees who were fired or disciplined over comments they made about Kirk’s death and character.
Read More on News
Last year, the president authorized the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to Chicago, a city that has been in the spotlight since the administration ramped up immigration enforcement efforts there as part of Operation Midway Blitz. Earlier this month, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul launched a suit against the Trump administration. Among the accusations made in the Illinois filing were claims of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents violently questioning residents, injuring locals with tear gas and weapons, and detaining U.S. citizens, accusing agents of infringing on Tenth Amendment rights.
...
What To Know
The teacher, who has not been publicly named by media, works at Gary Elementary School in West Chicago and wrote on Facebook, “Go ICE.” His comment drew criticism from local parents and community members who were upset about the post and came to the West Chicago City Council chambers on Monday, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
Superintendent Kristina Davis explained the situation in a statement to family, staff, and community members, writing, "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 teacher initially submitted his resignation. Later that day, he withdrew his resignation before the Board had an opportunity to take action.”
The statement continued, “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.”
She concluded, "We understand that this situation has raised concerns and caused disruption for students, families, and staff. We want to ensure our schools are safe spaces, and we look forward to seeing all students back in school tomorrow. Thank you for your patience, trust, and partnership during the ongoing investigation."
Parents and community members expressed concerns about the post, with a woman saying that "kids do not feel safe" with their teacher making comments like this. Illinois state Senator Karina Villa said that she understands freedom of speech is a "protected right" but "as educators we have the responsibility to our students and their families to create a safe and welcoming environment for all."
ABC 7 News noted that around 100 people, including parents and community members, were upset about the post and gathered together for a listening session to express their response. On the other hand, some conservatives, like legal analyst Jonathan Turley, called out the controversy for being overblown.
What People Are Saying
West Chicago Mayor Daniel Bovey said on Monday: “We have kids in our school districts, in this school specifically, who have lost a mom or dad or family member within the last three months. They're going home wondering if they will ever see mom or dad again.”
Illinois State Senator Karina Villa, a Democrat, said: “You have many students across District 33 who did not go to school today because of fear incited by a teacher.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, in a press release earlier in January: “We have watched in horror as unchecked federal agents have aggressively assaulted and terrorized our communities and neighborhoods in Illinois, undermining Constitutional rights and threatening public safety. In the face of the Trump Administration’s cruelty and intimidation, Illinois is standing up against the attacks on our people. Today, Illinois is once again taking Donald Trump to court to hold his administration accountable for their unlawful tactics, unnecessary escalations, and flagrant abuses of power.”
Legal analyst and attorney Jonathan Turley said in a January 27 blog post: "Some of us in the free speech community have been writing about the hypocrisy of many in the media and academia suddenly championing free speech values after years of silence (or support) over censorship of conservatives, libertarians, and contrarians. A good example can be found in the Chicago area, where a physical education teacher is on administrative leave and faces possible termination after posting two words (“Go ICE”) on Facebook in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Local leaders and groups are demanding that he be fired, even though a posting opposing ICE would likely have been heralded rather than condemned."
What Happens Next
The investigation into the educator is ongoing.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines