North Carolina student who was suspended for saying 'illegal alien' in class to receive $20K, apology from school in settlement
By: Richard Pollina
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The family of a North Carolina high school student suspended last year for saying "illegal alien" in English class has dropped their lawsuit against the district in exchange for a public apology and $20,000.
Christian McGhee, 17, received a three-day suspension for using the phrase while discussing word meanings during his English class at Central Davidson High School in Lexington on April 9, 2024.
McGhee's mother, Leah, had filed a lawsuit in which she accused the school and the Davidson County Board of Education of violating her son's First Amendment rights.
However, McGhee's family and the school board settled on Wednesday after a year-long battle in the courts, according to court documents.
The board has agreed to remove all references to racial bias in McGhee's school record and issue a public apology "for the mischaracterization of racial bias" in his record, documents show.
The board will also provide him with $20,000 in compensation to help his family with the costs of tuition at his new private school, to which he was forced to transfer after being suspended.
"On Friday, we filed a motion asking the court to approve a settlement that would resolve this matter. Because Christian is a minor, a court hearing is required before the settlement can become final," McGhee's lawyer told the Carolina Journal.
"We'll have more to say after that hearing, which is currently scheduled for July 1st. We're pleased to take this important step toward clearing our client's name."
McGhee's mother, Leah, had filed a lawsuit in which she accused the school and the Davidson County Board of Education of violating her son's First Amendment rights. Facebook/Leah McGheeView this document on Scribd
When the incident occurred, a teacher gave the teen an assignment that used the word "alien," and he asked, "Like space aliens or illegal aliens without green cards?"
A Hispanic student in McGhee's class reportedly "joked" that he was going to "kick Christian's ass," so the teacher escalated the matter to Central Davidson's assistant principal Eric Anderson.
McGhee's words were deemed offensive and disrespectful to his classmates, prompting Anderson to suspend him.
According to the suspension documents, Anderson "declared that his comment was racially motivated," as stated in the suit.
Anderson was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit "in his individual capacity."
A Hispanic student in McGhee's class reportedly "joked" that he was going to "kick Christian's ass," so the teacher escalated the matter to Central Davidson's assistant principal Eric Anderson. Google Maps
"I didn't make a statement directed towards anyone — I asked a question," McGee told the Carolina Journallast year.
"I wasn't speaking of Hispanics because everyone from other countries needs green cards, and the term 'illegal alien' is an actual term that I hear on the news and can find in the dictionary," he added.
When Leah McGhee attempted to appeal the suspension, school administrators refused to budge.
She then hired an attorney from the Liberty Justice Center's Educational Freedom Attorney to help clear her son's name and record.
View this document on Scribd
Leah appeared on the radio show "The Pete Kaliner Show" on WBT following the filing of the lawsuit and argued that the school wasn't justified in labeling her son a racist.
"It is a term used as federal code, and it is a term that is heard frequently on many news broadcasts," she said.
"I feel that if this was handled properly in the classroom, it could have easily been used as a teachable moment for everyone."
While the school district and the teen's family have settled, all involved have agreed that the school suspension will remain on Mchee's record "because there was a class disruption caused by the comments."
The board agreed that the settlement is "fair, reasonable, and in the best interest of Christian."
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Suspended for asking a question using a general term. Pretty pathetic.
Exactly what is racist about referring to somebody in the country illegally as "Illegal alien"? That's what they are and they come from all over the globe of all races, genders and ethnic backgrounds.
Exactly what is racist about referring to somebody in the country illegally as "Illegal alien"?
"Racist" sometimes is inferred from tone and context as well as the specific words.
Is referring to the group of people you indicate as "undocumented migrants" any less accurate?
Hate and scorn will never solve a problem in my view.
When the pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock, would you charecterize them as "illegal aliens"? Should all of the spawn of said pilgrims be rounded up and deported and only those that came through Ellis Island and subsequent processes be permitted to stay in the country?
Just wondering
Only to the racists.
It's a sugar coated term. Generally used by the left to cover for those who are here illegally.
It's a sugar coated term. Generally used by the left to cover for those who are here illegally.
Actually no, it specifically means that they are breaking the immigration laws by being in the country with proper documentation.
Illegal Alien - is simply a buzz word for MAGA to grab attention, to incite their followers and to inspire hate by focusing on this group of people as the source of all of the MAGA followers' problems.
That is it's sole purpose
No, they are grandfathered in by the misinterpreted 'born on American soil" provision in the Constitution.
But it wasn't American soil when the first few generations were born on it - it was British or French soil depending on where they were at.
They illegally entered the country and then rebelled against the legally established government.
A fine bunch setting the example for the elites of today
misinterpreted 'born on American soil" provision in the Constitution.
SCOTUS has not ruled that the provision is being or as ever been misinterpreted so until then it is valid and the law of the land
I guess you have never heard of England, the British Empire, all of those Kings and Queen
And your whole argument just fell apart with that comment. I'll give you some time to work that out yourself.
And are you claiming that when the Pilgrims arrived, those countries held stock in the American Continent?
And are you claiming that when the Pilgrims arrived, those countries held stock in the American Continent?
Really, that is what you got out of those words - the claim was laid by their arrival.
[deleted] [✘] the British and French illegally occupied land that belonged to the Native Americans. [deleted] [✘] I use the term "illegal aliens" because that is exactly what they are. It is not racist or hateful to speak the truth. Living in Colorado I've been around Hispanics most of my life. I get along with and respect minorities because I was raised right.
The first thing progressives go to is name call and label those that don't subscribe to their bullshit and hateful propaganda, and they wonder why Blacks and Hispanics are rejecting them in droves.
I think he's trying to imply that the British kingdom had a government established on the North American continent BEFORE anybody from the British kingdom arrived.
There was no "law" when they arrived.
Where is the hate and scorn in this case? Aren't you inferring tone and context of the question ("Like space aliens or illegal aliens without green cards?") when you have no proof of any hateful intent? "Illegal immigrant" is a completely acceptable and accurate term
"Illegal immigrant" is a completely acceptable and accurate term
Agreed but not a preferrable one in a civil society
Also acceptable and accurate terms are like MAGA or right wing nutjob or other veiled denigrations of Trump and his ideologues
But I don't like to see those used in civil conversation either
It was fine until the left unleashed the PC police and expected everyone to follow along.
Remember what George Orwell warned us about?
They will use the language to gaslight us. Entering the country illegally means just that.
Eric Blair - the perfect role model for the extremist
I knew a man once who always used logic. When someone accused white voters of not being supportive enough of Obama, he pointed out that Obama got a good share of the white vote, which Obama needed to win. He also pointed out that about 98% of black voters went all in for Obama and asked, "what does that tell us?"
Today I see that same man beginning to defend radical views. It is depressing.
You love to talk in riddles - if you have something to say, Man Up and say it