A teacher in Chicago has been placed on suspension following a controversial social media post expressing support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The teacher, who works at Gary Elementary School and whose identity has not been disclosed, commented “GO ICE” on a Facebook post last week. This remark ignited outrage within the largely Hispanic community of West Chicago, with many demanding the teacher’s dismissal.

A petition on Change.org has been launched, asserting that the teacher’s actions have “disrupted the emotional welfare” of the students. The petition swiftly gained traction, reflecting the community’s strong response.

Tensions reached a boiling point at a West Chicago City Council meeting, where over a hundred parents and residents gathered to express their anger and concern over the incident.

The anger spilled over into a West Chicago City Council meeting, where more than a hundred parents and locals gathered to vent their fury.

‘At home we teach our children to be respectful to the teachers, and then we expect the same, for the teachers to be respectful,’ one parent told ABC7 at the meeting. 

‘Where is the due process for all the people who are being kidnapped on the streets?’ another man fumed during the meeting.

The district’s superintendent Kristina Davis wrote to parents explaining that the teacher initially penned a resignation on Friday before an investigation could take place. 

Davis said the teacher then withdrew the resignation before the board could approve it and he was subsequently placed on administrative leave, reports Fox News. 

The incident led to allegations of a double standard in Chicago over the teacher’s conservative views, after educator Lucy Martinez was allowed to keep her job last year despite being filmed mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination. 

Furious parents have called for a Chicago elementary school teacher to be fired after he posted a pro-ICE message on social media. Pictured: A parent speaks out at a meeting about the controversy

The incident led to allegations of a double standard in Chicago over the teacher’s conservative views, after educator Lucy Martinez (pictured) was allowed to keep her job last year when she was filmed mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination

Conservative commentator Jen Illini drew comparisons between the treatment the unnamed Chicago teacher has received compared to Martinez. 

She wrote: ‘Teacher placed on leave for saying “GO ICE”.

‘Meanwhile, this (Chicago Public Schools) teacher who went viral for mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination? No leave. No consequences.’

Illinois State Senator Karina Villa led criticisms of the unnamed teacher this week, saying the educator did not ‘create a safe and welcoming environment for all’.

Villa said she stands in, ‘unwavering solidarity’ with families upset by the social media post, describing the show of support as ‘disturbing’. 

Locals commenting on the Change.org petition urged the school district to fire the teacher, with one writing: ‘I will not send my child to a school that has teachers who are brainwashed by the gestapo. I’d sooner find a new country.’ 

Another wrote: ‘The fact that he is still teaching at the school, and its Hispanic students and he’s making comments about supporting ICE, is very scary and concerning to me – I wouldn’t trust him around these kids.’ 

Davis wrote in her email to families that the school district has, ‘obtained legal counsel to conduct an investigation’ into the teacher. 

‘The district will share additional information as appropriate. District 33 remains committed to providing safe, caring, and inclusive learning environments for all students,’ she wrote. 

West Chicago Elementary School District Superintendent Kristina Davis said the district retained legal counsel to investigate the teacher and acknowledged that the teacher’s post, ‘raised concerns and caused disruption for students, families, and staff’

The anger spilled over into a West Chicago City Council meeting, where more than a hundred parents and locals gathered to vent their fury. ‘At home we teach our children to be respectful to the teachers, and then we expect the same, for the teachers to be respectful,’ one parent said

The teacher was placed on administrative leave from Gary Elementary School (pictured) and initially resigned before withdrawing their resignation

The superintendent explained that because the teacher withdrew their resignation before an investigation took place, the educator was placed on administrative leave to prevent them coming into school. 

‘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,’ Davis said. 

Davis acknowledged that the teacher’s post, ‘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,’ she wrote. 

The Daily Mail has contacted the West Chicago Elementary School District for further comment.