A Florida high school teacher is facing backlash after he allegedly threatened to get black students "sent back to Africa," the Houston Chronicle reports.
John Sousa, who works at the Wesley Chapel High School in the Tampa Bay area, was placed on administrative leave Friday after allegedly telling black students, "Don't make me call Donald Trump and get you sent back to Africa."
"He actually admitted saying it. He said it was just an off-the-wall comment and wasn't meant to be racist. He said it was a bunch of male and female students in the hallway and he was talking to everyone," Donnie Jones Jr., the father of the student who made the accusation, wrote on Facebook. "Let's be honest here. I could see if he said Donald's going to deport everyone. (Even then I would have questions) but my daughter said he pointed at the 3 black students and said Donald's going to send you back to Africa. I believe he's sorry but he's only sorry because he's in trouble."
District spokesperson Linda Cobbe said the incident is being looking into and that appropriate action will be taken.
"We take this type of alleged behavior very seriously and we will not tolerate it," Cobbe told the Tampa Bay Times. "We are following our investigative procedures and will take appropriate action."
According to the Chronicle, a final decision on whether or not Sousa—who also coaches golf—will be returning to the school could be announced as soon as Tuesday.
Read more at the Houston Chronicle and the Tampa Bay Times.