WIN: Student Suspended for Using the Term “Illegal Alien” Wins in Court
by Victoria Manning
In June 2024, Restoration News reported on woke ideologues in a North Carolina public school who suspended Christian McGhee for using the term “illegal alien.” McGhee’s family filed a lawsuit against the school district, and their attorney recently announced a settlement in favor of the McGhees.
Central Davidson High School suspended Christian for asking a clarifying question on a classroom assignment regarding the term “alien.” He questioned whether the teacher meant “space alien” or “illegal alien?” The school called that a “racially motivated” comment to disrupt class.
After being branded a racist, Christian and his family received violent, hate-filled threats, and Christian had to leave his school. The school board chair reportedly texted false allegations to a state senator stating that Christian had been thrown out of several schools and that his mother had a history of harassment. The family did not back down and sued the school district for violating Christian’s free speech, education, and due process rights.
In a big win for the McGhees on July 1, 2025, the court approved a settlement that includes the Davidson County School District issuing an apology, clearing Christian’s record, and paying the family $20,000 to help cover his private school tuition. The McGhees celebrated the victory and said, “Together with the help of our community, we have proved that constitutional rights do not end at schoolhouse doors.” They also “hope it encourages other families to stand firm in the face of adversity.”
The next step will be for the school board to vote to adopt the settlement at their next meeting in August.
This incident garnered the attention of then-candidate Donald Trump. Trump sent Christian a letter praising him for being a brave patriot who enforces “our God-given rights despite the consequences.”
The McGhee family’s fight demonstrates how standing up to the woke bullies can benefit the free speech rights of all students.
Republished with permission from Restoration News.
Victoria Manning is a Senior Investigative Researcher for Restoration News specializing in education freedom, immigration, and military issues. She is the author of Behind the Wall of Government Schools. Victoria served 8 years as an elected member of the Virginia Beach School Board and has a master’s degree in law. She also brings the perspective of a military spouse and mother to her reporting.
Email Victoria HERE
