Thread: ALIPAC VID/Poll: Panel in favor of admitting illegal immigra

Panel in favor of admitting illegal immigrants into colleges

By: Ilin Chen

RALEIGH – A state panel voted unanimously Thursday to recommend allowing undocumented students into community college classrooms, but with restrictions. The community college system, which is the third largest in the country, has changed its illegal immigrant policy at least four times in the last nine years.

The State Board of Community College's Policy Committee is in favor of a new rule that would give priority to legal U.S. residents if classes are full and charge undocumented students out-of-state tuition. That would cost those students about $30,000 for a two-year degree.

"We have a balanced and fair policy that provides an opportunity for an education for people who are very determined to get an education," Dr. Stuart Fountain, policy committee chair, said.

More information

• Read the rule

Some education advocates said they had mixed feelings about the decision but were happy that at least the doors are open.

"I think the more students that we have in North Carolina who are excited about going to school, whether it's community college or a four-year college, is a very good thing for our state," said Nancy Gallman, a former Durham schoolteacher who now works with kids on college admissions.

But dozens of protestors took to the streets in opposition to the decision made by the state board committee.

"We're not trying to be hateful to anybody, but right now the priority needs to be on the innocent Americans and American families that are suffering," said William Gheen, of Americans for Legal Immigration. "The mere fact that in the middle of this economic meltdown and these budget crises, they're about to offer such a taxpayer resources as community college to illegal aliens, is offensive."

Gheen was joined by several other groups outside the meeting because there was no public comment opportunity at Thursday's meeting. He said their views are shared by a majority of other North Carolinians.

Senate Republican leader Phil Berger released the following statement after the committee's decision:

"With North Carolina's high unemployment rate sending many out-of-work citizens into already overcrowded community colleges for retraining, now is not the time for an ill-advised experiment that will further drain precious educational resources and put our state's economy in greater jeopardy. We all remember how, in the midst of her campaign, Governor Perdue made a public display of her commitment to keeping illegal aliens out of our community colleges even going so far as to ungraciously refer to her opponent as the 'Mayor of Tijuana' in campaign advertisements. Now that the election is over, she has reversed course on this issue and many others. It seems that every time Governor Perdue is given the opportunity to take a stand for hardworking North Carolina citizens, she shrinks from the challenge."

The policy change goes to the full board Friday for consideration and a possible vote. It then has to go through a review process that could last from six months to a year before becoming official.


Source and Poll Link....
http://news14.com/content/top_stories/6 ... Cookie=104

Should undocumented immigrants be allowed to attend community college if they’ve graduated from a U.S. high school?
No (367)
80%
Yes (91)
20%
Total of votes : 458

Good job, W! Now time to pound on the rest of the board!

Bravo W.

I disagree in giving illegal aliens the right to go to colege, but if so, Illegals should be forced to pay cash only, if at all. No credit.