A longtime Chicago-area gym teacher says he was forced out of his job after posting a two-word message supporting federal immigration enforcement, describing the aftermath as “devastating and surreal.”
James Heidorn, a veteran physical education instructor at Gary Elementary School in West Chicago, faced immediate backlash after writing “GO ICE” on Facebook.
Heidorn wrote the comment in response to a news story about local police cooperating with immigration authorities.
“This process has been professionally and personally devastating and surreal,” Heidorn told Fox News.
“I’ve spent 14 years building my career, pouring my heart into teaching kids, building relationships, and being a positive role model.
“To see it all upended over two simple words, ‘Go ICE,’ where I expressed my personal support for law enforcement, felt like a severe blow to my career.”
Backlash Escalates in Heavily Hispanic District
The post quickly ignited controversy in the heavily Hispanic school district.
Heidorn was placed on leave and called into a human-resources meeting on January 22.
He briefly resigned, then withdrew the resignation the same day, planning to return the following week while the investigation continued.
However, community pressure intensified before any resolution.
Democrat Illinois State Sen. Karina Villa condemned the Facebook message as “disturbing,” declaring she stood in “unwavering solidarity” with families angered by the post.
Villa previously drew attention after being recorded melting down while confronting ICE agents during an enforcement operation.
West Chicago Mayor Daniel Bovey also intervened before the school inquiry concluded, calling Heidorn’s message “hurtful” and “offensive” in a Facebook video.
“The issue is we have trusted adults who are the ones that care for those kids when they can’t be with their mom and their dad,” Bovey said.
“So to have someone cavalierly rooting on — as if it’s a football game or something, yeah, go — events which have traumatized these children… that is the issue.”
Bovey later organized a community “listening session,” complete with a Spanish translator, where critics labeled the teacher’s comment “cruel” and claimed that “kids do not feel safe.”
Teacher Says He Lost Career Over Personal Opinion
Heidorn maintained that his post reflected a personal belief supporting law enforcement and was not directed at students or families.
“This started with a two-word comment on my personal Facebook page supporting law enforcement—nothing more,” he said.
“It wasn’t directed at any student, family, or school community.”
“Second, I was placed on leave and faced intense pressure before any full investigation or fair process could play out, with this it led to my resignation.
“Third, I lost my career, my income, and the chance to close out my time with my students properly—no farewell, no goodbyes.”
He said the deepest loss was being cut off from students he had taught for more than a decade.
“Emotionally, it’s been a roller coaster that has me feeling a great deal of shock, loss, and deep sadness over losing daily contact with my students,” Heidorn said.
“Feelings of anger and frustration at how quickly things escalated without real dialogue, and grief for not getting to say a proper goodbye to the kids I cared so much for.
“I’ve had sleepless nights,” he said.
“But I’m trying to stay focused on my family and the support I’ve received from people who know the real me.”
READ MORE – Liberal Teachers Force Children to Protest ICE Across America
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