Thread: NC-Proposed resolution against illegals comm. colleges fail

Published Mon, Nov 02, 2009 03:36 PM
Modified Mon, Nov 02, 2009 03:37 PM
Proposed resolution against illegals in community colleges fails
Comments (11)
Kristin Collins

The Wake County commissioners joined the debate today over whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to attend the state’s community colleges.

At their meeting this afternoon, Commissioner Paul Coble proposed a resolution objecting to the State Board of Community Colleges’ September decision to allow illegal immigrants into degree programs.

Coble said the community college decision condones illegal immigration and misuses taxpayer resources. "It makes no sense to me that we would actually train and educate people who cannot take the jobs that they would be trained for," he said.

But Coble didn't have enough votes to pass the resolution, which would have been purely symbolic. The board deadlocked three-to-three along party lines and the resolution died.

Commissioners Joe Bryan and Tony Gurley voted with Coble.

Commissioners Lindy Brown, Stan Norwalk and Betty Lou Ward all strongly opposed the measure.

"I am embarrassed that this would come before the board," said Norwalk, who called the resolution an insult to Latinos.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/171778.html

Individual contact information for individual members of the Wake Co. Board of Commissioners at:

http://www.wakegov.com/commissioners/default.htm

There are 7 listed including a Chairman Webb, although he is not named in the article and did not vote. I do not see how they avoid perpetual deadlock without a deciding vote.

By Justin Moss,, 5 hours, 10 minutes ago
Updated: Nov. 2 8:22 pm RALEIGH, N.C. -

Wake County Commissioners jumped into the debate Monday over whether to allow illegal immigrants into community colleges.

In September, the State Board of Community Colleges voted in favor of allowing illegal immigrants to enroll at the 58 community colleges in North Carolina.

That decision is not final, as public hearings will be held early next year before a final vote on the matter.

On Monday, Wake County Commissioners considered a resolution opposing the state's decision.

"It makes no sense to me that we would actually train and educate people who cannot take the jobs they would be trained for," said Commissioner Paul Coble.

Coble and the Board's two other Republicans voted for the resolution, which was only symbolic in nature, but it ultimately failed as the board's three Democrats voted against it.

"This (resolution) sends a very negative message to the public at large about Latinos," said Commissioner Stan Norwalk.

El Pueblo, a Latino advocacy group, called the resolution a political move by some commissioners.

"The sad part is they're doing it on the backs of children that should be able to go to school," said the group's Executive Director, Antonio Asion.

The state policy would still place restrictions on illegal immigrants, such as forcing them to pay out-of-state tuition and making them last priority when picking classes.



http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/sto ... nt-debate/

Common sense alert:

Coble said the community college decision condones illegal immigration and misuses taxpayer resources. "It makes no sense to me that we would actually train and educate people who cannot take the jobs that they would be trained for," he said.