16-Year-Old Suspended From School For Saying, “Aliens Without Green Cards”

Last week, a 16-year-old student in Lexington, North Carolina, was suspended after allegations that he used the word “alien.”

The 3-day suspension came after the student asked for more details on a vocabulary assignment. This was where his teacher gave him the word “alien,” his mother stated. The assignment was said to be a portion of an ethics lesson.

“Like space aliens or aliens without green cards?” the student questioned the teacher. This led to a classmate threatening the 16-year-old.

Assistant Principal Eric Anderson, of Central Davidson High School, alleged that the comments were “racially insensitive.” He also said that it was not respectful to Hispanic students.

“I didn’t make a statement directed towards anyone. I asked a question, and I wasn’t speaking of Hispanics. Everyone from other countries need green cards. The term illegal alien is an actual term that I hear on the news and find in the dictionary,” the student commented.

Now, the student has concerns that the suspension will lessen his opportunities of receiving a scholarship for pole vaulting.

“If this was handled properly in the classroom, it could have easily been used as a teachable moment for everyone. I feel that the negligence of the administration’s decision has fueled the injustice of suspension. This is for a student who simply asked for clarification to a teacher’s instructions,” the boy’s mother said.

She added that she is waiting to appeal the decision and has hired an attorney to help with the matter.

“We’ve never been in a situation like this. The label of racism in today’s world is so strong that I feel like we do not need to tackle this giant on our own. We’ve done it out of excessive precaution.”