Chicago teacher on leave over ‘GO ICE’ Facebook post

First on Fox: A Chicago-area physical education teacher is on administrative leave and facing calls to lose his job over a Facebook post last week offering support to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“GO ICE,” the teacher at Gary Elementary School in West Chicago, posted on Facebook last week. Shortly after the post was made, activists in the majority Latino community quickly began sharing the post and calling for action against the teacher, who Fox News Digital is not naming due to safety concerns.

“Imagine working as an elementary school teacher in West Chicago where the Latino community is heavily populated and promotes ICE, AF Sick,” one social media post read.

Another commenter described the teacher as a “piece of f**k”.

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Activists began distributing a leaflet online, with A Change.org petitioncalling on the employee’s job and students to stay home from school in protest, saying, “The casual manner in which he publicly promoted ICE’s actions in our district is inappropriate and inappropriate for a teacher.”

“The best way to show our district that we need to take action — is to show them that retaining this teacher will disrupt the emotional well-being and thus the education of our students,” the post read.

Fox News Digital was unable to independently locate the employee’s comment or Facebook post to which the employee was responding and it appears his account has been deleted. A Change.org petition described the comment as “in response to a community article.”

Local leaders also participated, including Karina Vela, the Illinois state senator representing the 25th District, who posted a message saying she stands in “unwavering solidarity” with families upset by “disturbing comments reportedly made by a teacher.”

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An ICE agent was seen standing in front of a home in a residential area. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Vela went on to acknowledge that freedom of expression is a “protected right” but that “as educators, we have a responsibility to our students and their families to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

In an email sent to parents by the district’s superintendent, Christina Davis, and obtained by Fox News Digital, the district explained that “the employee submitted a written resignation” on Friday before the investigation took place, but the employee then withdrew that resignation before the board could approve it, thus allowing him to come to work on Monday.

“The district has obtained legal counsel to conduct an investigation beginning Monday,” Davis wrote. “The District will share additional information as appropriate. District 33 remains committed to providing safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environments for all students. Thank you for your continued partnership.”

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Chicago, Illinois, skyline. (Istock)

Fox News Digital has reached out to West Chicago Elementary School District 33 for comment and details on what rule, if any, the teacher violated by posting support for law enforcement on Facebook.

The city of West Chicago held a “listening session” Monday at the request of Mayor Daniel Bovey, which included a Spanish translator, as a variety of parents and local residents expressed concerns about the post, including a woman who said “kids don’t feel safe” as a result of the post and another woman who said the post was “cruel.”

On Monday afternoon, a district spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the teacher had been placed on leave following Monday’s meeting.

“On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the district became aware of concerns regarding a disturbing social media comment made by a district employee on his personal account,” the statement read. “The teacher initially tendered his resignation. Later that day, he withdrew his resignation before the board had a chance to take action.”

The statement continued: “After a meeting with district administration today, the employee in question has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation and will not be allowed to be on any district property while on leave.”

“We understand that this situation has raised concerns and caused disruption for students, families, and staff. We want to ensure that our schools are safe places, and we look forward to seeing all students back in school tomorrow. Thank you for your patience, trust, and partnership during the ongoing investigation.”

The spokesperson did not respond when asked by Fox News Digital what specific policies the teacher was potentially violating by supporting law enforcement on Facebook.