SAN DIEGO – An undocumented University of California San Diego student’s Mexican flag waving stunt at her recent graduation is sparking a lot of controversy, with many calling the move “disrespectful.”

The San Diego Union-Tribune, of course, is making the most of the ordeal with two feature stories – one on the graduation and another on the subsequent backlash.

University officials suggested that the Union-Tribune focus their attention on 22-year-old undocumented graduate Indira Esparza at its recent ceremony, so when she strolled across the stage to receive her diploma and unfurled a large Mexican flag, U-T photographer John Gastaldo was there to capture the public display.

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U-T writer Lyndsay Winkley used Esparza as the lead in her graduation story – focusing particularly on the flag stunt – likely because Esparza moved to the U.S. at age 2 and overcame adversity to gain her degree, and plans to become an educator.

Also, likely because Winkley holds strong personal opinions about Esparza’s situation.

When the flag stunt inevitably sparked backlash from U-T readers, Winkley was quick to defend the student.

A reader wrote that the incident amounted to “a slap in the face to the United States,” which Winkley clearly didn’t like.

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“I don’t think Indira meant any disrespect toward America/Americans nor was she trying to express ungratefulness by unfurling the flag of Mexico during her graduation. I think she is proud of her Mexican and her American heritages,” she wrote in a snarky response.

“While she plans to use her own experiences as an undocumented student to help others with similar struggles, I don’t think that precludes her from being supportive of students from all walks of life in their pursuits of higher education. Thanks for your email.”

But the reader was only one of hundreds who expressed outrage or frustration with an undocumented student flaunting the flag of the country she fled in front of taxpayers who helped fund her education.

“U.S. immigration system isn’t broken – laws are simply not being enforced,” one person wrote in the story’s comments section.

“Rude. I can’t imagine living illegally in another country, and waving an American flag in people’s faces. Rude,” posted another.

Hundreds shared or liked links to the story on Facebook, and more than a dozen people wrote letters to the editor over the graduation story.

The U-T Twitter account posted an image of Esparza throwing up a peace sign with the Mexican flag in hand, which also solicited rage.

“Let’s all applaud an illegal alien taking the place of a California citizen in a taxpayer funded state university,” ranchorelaxo tweeted.

“She got her free education from the U.S., but flies the Mexico flag … disgusting. Mexico gave her nothing!” Ekatherine wrote.

“It’s amazing still how many people love a country they ran from and don’t want to live in,” Alan Phillips posted.