LANCASTER (1080 KRLD) - Parents of a 14-year-old boy in Lancaster say a teacher at Barack & Michelle Obama Ninth Grade Center threatened him with deportation.
They say the teacher showed their son a badge and coin with the words, "Office of Intelligence" and "ICE" printed on it.
They say the teacher also told their son the president was working on a law so, even though their son was born in the United States, he could be deported, too. They say the teacher said the law would allow for his deportation of his son because his mother came to the United States illegally.
The boy's mother, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, says she came to the United States legally from Mexico, and her husband is an American citizen.
"If you show that to a Hispanic kid, you basically threaten him, letting him know because his mom is not from here, he can get deported, too," she says.
She says she went to the school and talked to the teacher and principal. She says the teacher told her he showed the boy the coin because he was being disrespectful.
Lancaster ISD has placed the teacher on leave and will conduct a "thorough investigation."
The district has issued a statement:
“Lancaster ISD is aware of the comments made by a staff member to a student. We are working to gather all of the information so that we can conduct a thorough investigation. As of now the employee has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. Lancaster ISD does not support nor will we tolerate behavior that promotes division. Our district takes pride in being an inclusive district that puts students first regardless of their background. It is our goal to ensure a quality education for all students and a safe learning environment.”