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San Diego District Erases Suspension Over Pro-ICE Flyer After Free-Speech Group Intervenes

The dispute tests how public schools balance political speech versus campus safety.

Overview

  • The San Dieguito Union High School District cleared a Torrey Pines High School junior’s record after the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression pressed the case.
  • The student was suspended in February for posting flyers that said “We love ICE — Real Americans,” referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which administrators labeled harassment and a clear and present danger.
  • Administrators told the student his flyers were unacceptable and incendiary, while FIRE argued the punishment was viewpoint discrimination and said it will monitor the school.
  • Two weeks before the flyers, hundreds joined an anti-ICE walkout with crude signs, and the district said the protest was not sanctioned and that students who left class could be marked truant.
  • The principal, Rob Coppo, left his post during the fallout, which the district called an unrelated retirement, highlighting continued scrutiny of how K–12 schools police student speech.