Thread: NC-college off. struggle over educating illegal immigrants

Community college officials struggle over educating illegal immigrants

August 13, 2008 - 3:57PM
The Associated Press
RALEIGH - In a state where the commitment to higher education extends all the way back to the founding of the nation's first public university in 1789, North Carolina's community colleges just can't seem to get past the politics of illegal immigration.

Four times since 2000, the nation's third-largest system of community colleges has changed its policy on students who are illegal immigrants. Most recently, the system in May adopted the most restrictive policy in the country and barred illegal immigrants from admission to its degree programs.

The system's board will meet again this week to consider yet another change. It's a decision fraught with political complications, as both the major party candidates for governor favor the uniquely restrictive admissions policy.

``There are students, undocumented, applying and waiting in the wings,'' said Tony Asion, executive director of El Pueblo, a statewide Latino advocacy organization. ``This up-and-down, yes-no-yes-no is affecting these kids considerably. It psychologically affects them.''

North Carolina's system of 58 community colleges serves roughly 800,000 students - or about one out of every 11 of the state's residents. Only Texas and California, states with populations more than twice the size, run larger systems.

Only a tiny fraction of the North Carolina students - 112 at last count - are illegal immigrants. Former system president Martin Lancaster has staunchly defended the decision to admit such students, arguing they are unlikely to leave the state and therefore will be part of its work force.

``Do we want these workers to be 'knowledge workers' or ignorant workers incapable of giving to their employers their best efforts?'' he wrote last year.

He noted that since those students pay out-of-state tuition, and don't qualify for federal financial aid, the students are actually moneymakers for the community colleges they attend.

In making his case, Lancaster was following a tradition of support for education that started with the founding of the University of North Carolina more than 200 years ago. It has only grown in the past two decades, as governors from Jim Hunt to Mike Easley hammered home its importance to support the state's booming population.

``Jim Hunt and Mike Easley have stood up and said 'No, this is not the standpoint of North Carolina,''' said Eddie Davis, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators. ``But it's become a big political hot potato and people running for office now are afraid to say 'We owe it to these children to allow them to continue their education.'''

Both of the major party candidates to replace Easley - Democratic Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and Republican Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory - support the board's current position.

McCrory has promised to rescind any ruling to allow illegal immigrants to attend community college. Perdue has said federal law requires the state to give everyone access to K-12 education, but resources beyond that level should be spent on those who can legally work in North Carolina.

As the issue moved on the public stage last fall, the system asked Attorney General Roy Cooper to clarify federal law on whether post-secondary education should be considered a ``public benefit.'' By federal law, ``aliens who are not qualified aliens or nonimmigrants are ineligible for state and local public benefits.''

While awaiting word from federal officials, Cooper advised new community college system president Scott Ralls - who replaced the retiring Lancaster in May - to bar illegal immigrants from enrolling. Ralls followed that advice, locking in spaces only for those admitted on or before May 13.

The state got its answer late last month from the Department of Homeland Security, which concluded that admission is not a public benefit. But they also added that ``states may bar or admit illegal aliens from enrolling in public post-secondary institutions either as a matter of policy or through legislation,'' dumping the policy choice back before the State Board of Community Colleges.

The board got no clear guidance from lawmakers. While those on both sides of the issue filed legislation to address it during this year's session, leaders in the General Assembly steered clear of the controversy, aware of the debate it would cause in an election year.

For the board, there's no clear road to follow, as the politics, law and the economy all offer contradictory paths, said David Ayers, an assistant education professor at North Carolina State University.

``We've created the conditions where immigrants are coming here to work,'' Ayers said. ``We have a labor shortage and they're here to fill it. So what we're doing is saying, 'Yes, we want you here but you can't study in our colleges.''



http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/state_ ... legal.html

``We've created the conditions where immigrants are coming here to work,'' Ayers said. ``We have a labor shortage and they're here to fill it. So what we're doing is saying, 'Yes, we want you here but you can't study in our colleges.''

Ummmm.....ok, because we don't have a shortage of people or educated people. They got what they came for....a job. They got paid for doing that job and we don't OWE them anything else. You aren't obligated to educate all the citizens of this country who want to go to school, so why would you be obligated to teach them when they aren't even citizens?

The state got its answer late last month from the Department of Homeland Security, which concluded that admission is not a public benefit. But they also added that ``states may bar or admit illegal aliens from enrolling in public post-secondary institutions either as a matter of policy or through legislation,'' dumping the policy choice back before the State Board of Community Colleges.

NO TO ILLEGAL CRIMINAL ALIENS - NO - DEPORT THEM, NOW, NC

TAXPAYER MONEY BUILT THE SCHOOLS; TAXPAYERS FUND GO TO YOUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES;

WE THE TAXPAYERS DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THESE ILLEGALS

NOT EVEN THE GED PROGRAMS! OR ENGLISH COURSES NOT EVEN HIGH SCHOOL EXTENSION COURSES

The opinion delivered by DHS to the college system came from none other than Charlotte-Mecklenburg's former tough-on-illegals Sheriff Jim Pendergraph.

McCrory has promised to rescind any ruling to allow illegal immigrants to attend community college. Perdue has said federal law requires the state to give everyone access to K-12 education, but resources beyond that level should be spent on those who can legally work in North Carolina.

That's right give the education to those WHO CAN LEGALLY WORK here.

Former system president Martin Lancaster has staunchly defended the decision to admit such students, arguing they are unlikely to leave the state and therefore will be part of its work force.

``Do we want these workers to be 'knowledge workers' or ignorant workers incapable of giving to their employers their best efforts?'' he wrote last year.

Mr. Lancaster, "knowledge worker" tends to be an oxymoronic statement these days. You certainly weren't thinking of government work, or construction, or education were you?

This is ridiculous and it's a debate that shouldn't even be happening. Illegal immigration is against the law, period! The U.S. Supreme Court got in wrong in their decision to allow illegals a K-12 education. However, that is the law and we must honor it or change it. Allowing illegals to attend institutions of higher learning is not required by law, which means it should be against the law since illegal immigration is against the law. IMO, this is a black and white issue, there is no gray area. It's beyond my ability of comprehension to understand why this issue is even up for discussion. Allowing illegals to attend college is the same as saying the rule of law has no meaning. I'm sorry, I just can't accept that!

They keep using this provenly false statement!!!

Only a tiny fraction of the North Carolina students - 112 at last count - are illegal immigrants.

That's based on a survey of students. Those are only the ones that were willing to voluntarily tell the truth about their illegal status!

W

William wrote:

That's based on a survey of students. Those are only the ones that were willing to voluntarily tell the truth about their illegal status!

W

Honesty is a virtue that has definitely been missing in the illegal immigration debate.

Wait a minute there Mr Ayers..Back up and listen to what you have said:

``We've created the conditions where immigrants are coming here to work,'' Ayers said. ``We have a labor shortage and they're here to fill it. So what we're doing is saying, 'Yes, we want you here but you can't study in our colleges.''

Well we are talking about 2 different things...here to work YES.. and yes they are doing that(CHEAPLY AND UNFAIRLY) not to mention they are HERE ILLEGALLY!

If they came thru proper channels ,then yes doors are open to higher learning as many IMMIGRANTS HAVE DONE over the years and especially since the Vietnam Era.

Why IS IT SO HARD to get this through to some people?

THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN AMERICA TO WORK AND HAVE A DREAM ........BUT DO IT LEGALLY>>>>>>>>>THAT IS ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT!!!IT IS NOT A RACIST ISSUE??????

THANK YOU