School Apologizes, Pays Student Over ‘Illegal Alien’ Suspension
- A North Carolina school district has settled with a teen who was suspended for using the term "illegal alien" in class, agreeing to pay $20,000 and issue...
- Christian McGhee, then a 16-year-old sophomore at Central Davidson High school in Lexington, asked his English teacher on april 9, 2024, if a vocabulary lesson on "aliens"...
- The settlement requires the school to virtually apologize to McGhee.
A North Carolina school is paying $20,000 too settle with a student suspended for using the term “illegal alien,” a decision that sparked national debate. Christian McGhee, then a 16-year-old, was punished for a classroom remark, igniting a free speech battle that drew attention from figures such as former President Donald Trump. The settlement includes an apology and the expungement of the suspension from his record. The incident underscores ongoing discussions about immigration terminology and free speech rights within educational institutions. News Directory 3 keeps you informed on the developing story. What ripple effects will this have on school policies?
North carolina School Apologizes, Pays $20,000 in ‘Illegal Alien’ Remark Settlement
Updated June 4, 2025
A North Carolina school district has settled with a teen who was suspended for using the term “illegal alien” in
class, agreeing to pay $20,000 and issue an apology. The settlement concludes a year-long free speech dispute
that drew national attention, including from former President Donald Trump.
Christian McGhee, then a 16-year-old sophomore at Central Davidson High school in Lexington, asked his English
teacher on april 9, 2024, if a vocabulary lesson on “aliens” referred to “space aliens or illegal aliens who
need green cards.” School officials suspended him for three days, citing a “racially insensitive remark” that
disrupted the class.
The settlement requires the school to virtually apologize to McGhee. Terms of the apology remain confidential,
with both parties agreeing not to record or publicly discuss it, pending court approval due to McGhee’s minor
status. Dean McGee, Senior Counsel for Educational Freedom at the Liberty Justice Center and representing the
family, said they are pleased with the progress toward clearing his client’s name.
class.
The incident began when McGhee sought clarification on the term “aliens,” prompting a classmate to threaten
him. Assistant Principal Eric Anderson reportedly told McGhee his comment was a “big deal” and that the other
student had a right to be offended. The lawsuit filed by the Liberty justice center alleged Anderson suggested
using “those people who need a green card” instead of “aliens.”
Attorneys for McGhee stated that he had a good relationship with the other student, who later said he was not
offended by the remark. In a joint statement, parties acknowledged that while the school board maintained the
suspension was appropriate due to classroom disruption, allegations of racial bias were a
“mischaracterization,” according to the Carolina Journal.
“The McGhees are grateful for the steps taken by the Board to correct Christian’s school record, ensuring
that he can continue his education without this incident hanging over him,” the statement concluded.
Leah McGhee defended her son’s actions at a school board meeting following the suspension. She claimed that
school board members Alan Beck and Nick jarvis did not instantly respond to her appeal attempts. She also
alleged that two board members tried to “slander” her by publicizing her 14-year-old arrest record for pain
medication possession.
The controversy led to community outrage. Beck did not seek re-election last fall, according to The Center
square. Leah McGhee accused another school board member, Ashley Carroll, of slander for sharing her past
record. Carroll later resigned after facing DWI charges related to a car crash, WFMY-TV reported.
The case sparked national debate about free speech in schools and the use of the term “illegal alien,” amid
discussions on undocumented migration. Donald Trump sent Christian a letter thanking him for “defending our
America-First values.”
“Do not be discouraged by the radical leftists who will stop at nothing to decimate the freedoms we have
worked tirelessly to achieve,” Trump wrote.
The Liberty Justice Center, a nonprofit firm focused on free speech and educational freedom, represents the
McGhee family. The Davidson County School District Board of Education is represented by Cranfill Sumner.
What’s next
The court must approve the settlement before it becomes final. The resolution aims to allow Christian McGhee to
continue his education without the incident affecting his record, while also addressing broader concerns about
free speech and appropriate language in schools.