North Carolina School District Forced to Apologize and Pay $20K to Student Who Was Suspended for Saying ‘Illegal Alien’ |

A North Carolina high school student has just found himself $20,000 richer, thanks to a rather contentious suspension.

The local school district has been compelled to issue an apology and make a cash settlement after suspending the student for using the term “illegal alien.” This incident raises questions about the current climate surrounding discussions on immigration, highlighting how sensitive the subject has become.

FOX News reports:

North Carolina school district to issue apology, pay $20K to student suspended over ‘illegal alien’ comment

The family of Christian McGhee, a North Carolina high school student, is set to receive a $20,000 payment and a public apology due to his suspension for using the phrase “illegal alien.” This settlement aims to erase references to racial bias from the now 17-year-old’s record, as reported by The New York Post.

The settlement also includes financial compensation to help cover the costs of McGhee’s new private school, which entails annual tuition fees.

The incident that sparked this debacle occurred last year when, after returning from the restroom, McGhee asked his teacher whether a class discussion was about “spaceship aliens” or “illegal aliens who need green cards.” A Latino student jokingly threatened him, which escalated the situation and led the teacher to involve the assistant principal.

One can’t help but wonder what the school administration was thinking in handling this matter.

BREAKING: Christian McGhee, the North Carolina teen who was suspended from school for using the term “illegal alien” in class, will receive $20,000 and a public apology from the Davidson County Board of Education (@dcsnc) after they falsely accused him of “racial bias.” https://t.co/J4AoRY1plt pic.twitter.com/Fb1PFiJpPU

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 4, 2025

This situation raises serious implications about educational policies and the ability to engage in open discourse. One might suggest that the individual responsible for the suspension should perhaps reconsider their position within the educational system.