EWA BEACH, Hawaii – Campbell High School social studies teacher John Sullivan was called to the principal’s office for speaking out about illegal immigrant students staying home over deportation fears.

The incident centers on an email sent to faculty members at the Hawaiian high school titled “Students are being kept home from school due to deportation fears” in which another teacher recommended ways to coax illegal immigrants into coming to school, KITV reports.

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Sullivan replied to the email:

This is another attack on the president over deportation. Their parents need to apply for immigration like everyone else. If they are here in the U.S. illegally, I won’t teach them.

Department of Education spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz told KITV that Sullivan’s email violated the code of conduct, as well as the Board of Education’s anti-discrimination and electronic communication policies.

“Our public school system services all students,” she said. “It’s very clear in our code of conduct that we do not discriminate on national origin as well as all the other aspects of where you’re from, who you are, sexual orientation, religion and the list goes on and on.

“What it comes down to is that we do not discriminate against anyone,” Dela Cruz said. “We are the public school system and we service all children.”

Campbell High School Principal Jon Henry Lee also sent a letter reminding teachers they “should not be using the schools (sic) email to voice political opinions” and make it clear “Sullivan will teach any student who is enrolled at Campbell High School.”

Sullivan told Hawaii News Now the whole episode was a big “misunderstanding.”

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“My comment in the email refers to (the email’s title) if students is (sic) kept home, teachers cannot teach them,” he wrote in an email to the news site.

Lee said he met with Sullivan to explain in person that “we don’t discriminate against any individuals.”

“I reminded him of that … we’re going to service all students registered in our schools,” he said.

Dela Cruz told Hawaii News Now that any punishment Sullivan might face for his comments will come from Lee, though she provided no details.

“I can’t speak on what appropriate action will be taken against this teacher, but rest assured appropriate action will be taken,” she said.

Officials with the Hawaii State Teachers Association, meanwhile, refused to comment about the case because it’s a personnel issue.

“At the same time, HSTA strongly believes that every child has the right to an education, regardless of their immigration status,” HSTA president Corey Rosenlee told the news site.