Thread: GTCC considers enrollment of undocumented immigrants

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Wednesday, May 25, 2005

News: Top Stories

GTCC considers enrollment of undocumented immigrants

By Jane E. Whitehorne

Guilford Technical Community College hopes to open its doors to illegal immigrants for the fall term.

The Policy Committee of the college's Board of Trustees unanimously voted May 4 to recommend conditional admission for undocumented immigrants. Dr. Donald Cameron, GTCC president, said this policy would provide a way for these individuals to better themselves and become self-sustaining members of the community.

"After researching this issue for six months, I feel that this is the right action to take," said Cameron.

Cameron's main concern is for the children of illegal immigrants. He cites the example of a young man he spoke with who came to the United States with his family when he was eight years old. Now a high school student, this young man would not be allowed to attend GTCC under it's current policy.

"These children had no choice in their future," said Cameron. "They came to this country with their parents. They had no choice. We are all going to be better off if we provide them with the means to be self-sustaining members of society."

The proposed policy features several enrollment conditions for undocumented residents.

They must have attended high school in the United States for at least three years and have graduated.

They may not receive state or federal financial aid in the form of grants, loans or aid from a college source.

They will be considered out-of-state residents for tuition purposes.

At GTCC, in-state tuition is $38 per credit hour, or a maximum of $608 per semester. Out-of-state tuition is $211 per credit hour, or a maximum of $3,376 per semester.

Also, when considering admission into a specific program of study, the college will take into account that federal law prohibits states from granting professional licenses to undocumented immigrants.

The policy will go before the full Board of Trustees for consideration in June. If approved, it will go into effect for the fall 2005 term.

His concern for the "children of these parents" is totally misplaced.

He's being paid by citizens of the state of North Carolina and I'm sure some federal funding to teach and train citizens of the state of North Carolina.

He's NOT BEING PAID to worry about, underwrite, subsidize, aid or abet, fund, pamper or coddle illegals present in our society in violation of American Law.

Support Senate Amendment 3 to the North Carolina Budget Bill which will restrict admissions and all services provided by the state's community colleges to American citizens and legal residents of the state of North Carolina.

The University of Mexico has good programs. Take advantage of them.

Guilford Technical Community College hopes to open its doors to illegal immigrants for the fall term.

LOOK GUYS.........the best thing here is to simply FIGHT FIRE W/FIRE.

Where is this school? Let's make a concerted {quick} effort to "educate" the kids & parents of surrounding states that the LAW WILL GIVE THEM IN-STATE TUITION ALSO!!

I know it sounds like a pain in the neck but with our collective thoughts we can come up with a simple plan that we can use every time a school pulls this ILLEGAL stunt! This is what we're here for and I truly believe that we will gain many positives if we were to get this as an regular "action" thingy.

Trust me, if we can accomplish this a few times the word will spread and we'll gain more support and strength.