Frances Santiago said she was told that for now no fines will be assessed against them if they don’t take it down, a reversal of the HOA’s previous warning.

Santiago, whose decade of military service included two tours in Iraq as a medic, said the Rolling Hills Estates homeowners association sent her a letter stating that it is reviewing its policies to “fully determine how best to address the issue of flags in the community.”

She quoted association correspondence that said her request to display the flag of the island territory where she was born “highlighted some challenges to current governing documents."

Homeowners association rules state, “No sign or flag of any kind shall be erected or placed within the property without the consent of the board.”

But many flags fly throughout the neighborhood, including the U.S. flag, sport team banners and the American “thin blue line” flag, honoring law enforcement. The rules should treat everyone in the community equally — and they haven’t, Santiago said.

Federal law, enacted in July 2006, protects the right to fly the American flag.

A homeowners association officer said in an email the board was advised by a lawyer not to comment.

The Santiagos, who bought their home in the Kissimmee neighborhood in August 2017, often flew an American flag on their garage.