Senator Philip Berger of Guilford County introduced a bill to prohibit illegal aliens from attending North Carolina community colleges.

If passed, the bill would make the current ban permanent.

Illegal aliens have not been permitted to attend community colleges in N.C. since May of 2007, when Attorney General Roy Cooper said the decision was up to individual states and institutions.

This prompted the Community College System to close its doors to undocumented individuals. At the time, 112 of 297,000 degree-seeking students were illegal immigrants.

Salome Bascunan, a member of the Hispanic advocacy group El Pueblo, said the bill would hurt not only the students who are denied admittance, but also the state.

"By allowing them to pursue higher education, the state can benefit from students who are bilingual and bicultural, and able to contribute to the state's collective productivity and economic growth," Bascunan said.

Salome also said undocumented aliens do not take seats away from North Carolinians. They are considered out-of-state students, and thus pay out-of-state tuition.

"Considering the economic hardships that our state is facing, the additional revenue that these students would generate could help keep costs down for in-state students," Bascunan said.

N.C. State clubs, such as Mi Familia, have been contacted by Bascunan. She urged them to get in touch with their legislators and voice disapproval of the bill.

Matt Walton, a graduate student in technology education, said he supports Senator Berger's bill.

"Individuals who are here illegally should not be able to take part in the services that are provided to citizens," said Walton. "Tax payers pay money into the state system, thereby affording them the right to go to community colleges."

Walton said this is not an anti-immigrant issue, but an issue of upholding the law.

"Given their illegal status, they've obviously violated a law," Walton said. "Since N.C. students who break the law are denied admittance or kicked out of school, the same standards should be held for illegal immigrants."

State currently admits illegal aliens as out-of-state students.

In a memo to UNC chancellors, Erskine Bowles, president of the UNC System, said N.C. universities would continue to admit illegal aliens until told otherwise by the federal government.

Colby Jackson, a junior in chemical engineering, said he is uneasy about the thought that illegal aliens can attend NC State.

"I don't like the idea of illegal immigrants attending State and taking spots away from citizens, especially since they're here against the law," Jackson said.

Not all students agree.

Jared Bowman, a senior in psychology, said he believes undocumented students should be allowed to attend public universities such as State.

"The kids who come into this country illegally don't have any option other than to follow their parents," said Bowman. "They shouldn't be penalized for decisions they had no control over, and should be given every opportunity that American citizens have."

Bowman has spent time volunteering at a Hispanic church in his hometown, and says he admires the work ethic that many illegal aliens put forth to earn a living.

"If these students want to better themselves, I don't see why the state shouldn't let them," said Bowman.

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