Missouri Muslim student claims principal withheld diploma over speech on ICE, Palestine

A Muslim student in Missouri alleges her high school principal withheld her diploma as she delivered a graduation speech that included remarks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Palestine. Leen Hijaz, a Palestinian-origin student at Clayton High School, stated that the principal interrupted her speech and did not give her the diploma.

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Before I leave the stage, I have one last thing to say. Every single person here has a voice; we have the privilege to use it when millions around the world are struggling and suffering to be heard. Whether it's the millions suffering in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan and so many other countries around the world, or the families being torn apart by ICE. These are not just an issue there; they are happening there, they're happening right here as I speak. My point is, we're not given a voice to stay silent.

During the ceremony on Thursday, May 28, Hijaz began her welcome speech and, in her closing remarks, spoke about the struggles of millions worldwide, mentioning Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and Afghanistan, as well as families affected by ICE. "We're not given a voice to stay silent," she declared.

Video footage showed the principal appearing to stop Hijaz as she spoke. Hijaz later admitted the impromptu nature of her remarks, saying she was scared but encouraged by friends and family. "I didn't get to say everything I wanted to say, but I said enough," she commented.

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I was extremely scared to say something and really wasn't planning on doing it, but I had so much support from my friends and family around me, and they encouraged me to say something. I didn't get to say everything I wanted to say, but I said enough.

Johnston County Public Schools explained that students must submit remarks in advance and that Hijaz deviated from the approved text. A district statement indicated the intervention aimed to "maintain the integrity and focus of the program in real time" and was not intended to limit a student's voice but to ensure the event stayed consistent with its purpose. The district did not explicitly confirm whether the diploma was withheld due to the speech.

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School administrators intervened in order to maintain the integrity and focus of the program in real time. This action was not about limiting a student’s voice, but about ensuring that a school-sponsored event remained consistent with its intended purpose.