LEXINGTON, N.C. — The family of Christian McGhee, a high school student suspended last year for using the phrase “illegal alien” in class, has settled its lawsuit with the Davidson County Board of Education.
The settlement includes:
- A public apology from the board for mischaracterizing McGhee’s words as racially motivated,
- Removal of racial bias references from his disciplinary record,
- $20,000 in compensation to help with tuition at a private school he transferred to after the incident.
McGhee, then 17, received a three-day suspension in April 2024 from Central Davidson High School after asking during an English class discussion if the word “alien” meant “space aliens or illegal aliens without green cards.” A classmate reportedly responded with a joking threat, prompting the teacher to escalate the situation.
The school’s assistant principal, Eric Anderson, deemed McGhee’s comment offensive and racially motivated, resulting in the suspension.
McGhee’s mother, Leah McGhee, filed a lawsuit alleging a violation of her son’s First Amendment rights. She argued that the term “illegal alien” is used in federal law and media and that the situation could have been a teachable moment rather than a disciplinary one.
While the suspension for causing a “class disruption” remains on McGhee’s record, the court is expected to approve the settlement in a July 1 hearing, as Christian is a minor.
The family’s attorney called the resolution a positive step toward restoring McGhee’s reputation.
