Aztec Municipal School District in New Mexico fired a Christian history teacher in July 2025 because he taught the truth about immigration — a truth approved by the school district’s own curriculum.
Liberty Counsel (LC) represents Jarrell Botello, the fired teacher of American history. He said the school district accused him of racism for “accurately describing the current political debate about immigration to his students.” Botello also taught the truth about the founders’ religious beliefs.
Botello filed a religious discrimination complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
According to LC, the EEOC urged the Aztec Municipal School District to settle the case, which it did.
President Donald Trump in February 2025 ordered the federal government to eradicate anti-Christian bias. “My Administration will not tolerate anti-Christian weaponization of government or unlawful conduct targeting Christians,” the president wrote.
We’re in a different era than Biden’s. The school district was wise to settle.
The trouble began when a parent complained about the way Botello taught history, accusing him of teaching “religion, hate, and racism.” He was placed on leave and eventually fired.
“Non-Christian and Non-Hispanic teachers were not disciplined or terminated for using the same curriculum,” Botello said in his complaint.
Mat Staver, LC founder and chairman, said that the EEOC “recognized there were elements of discrimination in Jarrell Botello’s firing to recommend that the Aztec Municipal School District enter a settlement agreement.”
It’s astonishing that school districts are still so blatant in their religious discrimination.
Photo credit: Liberty Counsel
