“GO ICE” Post Costs Veteran Teacher His Career

A veteran Chicago-area teacher lost his job over a simple two-word Facebook post supporting ICE, exposing the chilling threat to free speech under pressure from activist mobs.

Story Highlights

James Heidorn, a 14-year PE teacher at Gary Elementary, resigned after posting “GO ICE” on his personal page amid local police-ICE cooperation news.
Outrage in 81% Hispanic student district led to protests, petitions, walkouts, forcing district action despite no clear policy violation.
School board accepted resignation on Feb 5, 2026, prioritizing “disruption” over First Amendment rights, with Heidorn calling it “devastating.”
Case highlights double standards, as anti-ICE posts go unchecked, signaling risks for conservatives voicing law-and-order support.

Teacher’s Pro-ICE Post Ignites Backlash

James Heidorn posted “GO ICE” on his personal Facebook page before January 22, 2026, responding to a news story on West Chicago police cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The district with 81% Hispanic students learned of the post that day. Heidorn initially resigned but retracted it, leading to administrative leave and an investigation. Community activists spread the post, sparking a Change.org petition, boycott flyers, and parental walkouts that disrupted school operations.

District Caves to Protests and Pressure

On January 26, 2026, a community listening session amplified parents’ safety concerns tied to recent ICE raids detaining parents in West Chicago, a high-immigrant suburb. Mayor Dan Bovey called the post “hurtful” given teachers’ in loco parentis role and local traumas. Early February saw parents keeping children home in protest as the district consulted legal counsel. Public comments questioned hypocrisy over unchecked anti-ICE teacher posts, but pressure mounted from Senator Karina Villa and activists.

Resignation Finalized Amid Free Speech Concerns

The school board, led by President Rita Balgeman and Superintendent Kristina Davis, accepted Heidorn’s resignation and separation agreement on February 5, 2026. He receives salary and benefits through the school year plus a neutral reference. Balgeman stressed focus on minimizing learning disruptions, not politics. District officials withheld specific policy violations, committing only to “safe environments.” Heidorn told Fox News Digital the outcome was “professionally and personally devastating,” emphasizing his deep care for students after 14 years.

Supporters like Corinne Ingrum criticized the escalation, warning it could draw more ICE scrutiny. Public figures such as Timothy Lorman questioned if jobs demand alignment with popular opinions. Fox coverage positioned Heidorn as a free speech victim in an overreaction.

IF A TEACHER CAN BE FIRED FOR SUPPORTING ICE, THEN TEACHERS SHOULD BE FIRED FOR OPPOSING ICE. Chicago Area Teacher Forced to Resign for Supporting ICE Speaks Out https://t.co/sO5F1Qrduq

— ArmyMom224⛪️✝️🇺🇸🪖 (@ArmyMom224) February 16, 2026

Implications for Conservative Voices in Education

Short-term, protests ended with resolution, but Heidorn faces career uncertainty, launching a GoFundMe as a “beloved teacher” while seeking new roles. Long-term, the case chills off-duty speech for teachers, especially conservatives supporting law enforcement like ICE amid President Trump’s border security push. In diverse districts, vague “disruption” standards risk punishing pro-enforcement views while tolerating opposites, eroding individual liberty and setting precedents against traditional values of rule of law.

Socially, the community polarizes with pro- and anti-ICE speeches. Politically, it underscores immigration tensions under Trump’s policies slashing refugee caps and expanding deportations. Economically, Heidorn’s job loss burdens families reliant on such educators, highlighting overreach in sanctuary-minded areas resisting federal enforcement.