Thread: NC: Comm Colleges to decide on whether to allow IAs

Community colleges to decide on whether to allow illegal immigrants

August 13, 2008 - 5:31PM
Amanda Millard

Admitting illegal immigrants into course for college credit at community colleges will be the focus of the State Board of Community Colleges' issues luncheon Thursday.

The board will see presentations, status reports and the latest estimates on undocumented students, said N.C. Community College System spokeswoman Chancy Kapp.

Any action would start with a committee vote and then follow up with a vote of the full board during its monthly meeting Friday, Kapp said.

"People who advocate one point or another feel very strongly," Kapp said.

One person with a strong opinion about illegal immigration is U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick, who announced on Wednesday a new bill on illegal immigration in higher education.

Myrick, who represents part of Gaston County in the 9th District, said in a press conference that she planned to introduce legislation that would prohibit colleges and universities that knowingly admit illegal aliens from receiving federal funds.

The bill would prohibit federal funds coming to colleges in the form of direct appropriations and grants but would not affect federal financial aid programs, according to a press release. It would also direct the Departments of Homeland Security and Education to implement regulations to define "knowingly" admitting illegal immigrants.

"Our higher education system is set up so that our country's resources go to those who are here legally, not those who are breaking our laws," Myrick said.

Gaston College President Pat Skinner said she wasn't sure what would be the outcome of the meeting.

"Really I hope they will give us some further guidance," Skinner said. "There's not an easy answer to the situation."

The administrative code says that community colleges are supposed to be open door institutions, Skinner said.

"What does open door really mean?" Skinner asked. "There hasn't really been a decision."

Elementary and secondary schools can't ask about a student's legal status. They are required to educate everyone.

The community college system began requiring the admission of illegal immigrants in November 2007. The system reversed that decision in May after an advisory letter came from the state Attorney General's Office stating illegal immigrants should be denied entry into curriculum degree programs.

Illegal immigrants had been accepted at Gaston College since 2004 because of the open door policy. The college stopped doing that in May to abide by state rules, according to school officials.

"We want to do whatever it is we're supposed to do within the law but it's not that clear," Skinner said.
http://tinyurl.com/6qm8sc

IMO, this really should have been posted in this thread:

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-127812.html

This board has reversed the decision so many times. I think they don't really want to make a finite decision on whether to admit or not admit illegals, and if they keep reversing fast enough, no one has time to get together their cases to sue them. Just a thought.

ISN'T that what the Obama and McCain Parties CALL FLIP_FLOPPING?

I just can not see this as being right! it is GREAT to get an education as we all know BUT to deal out special privelages after being introduced into this country ILLEGALLY is AMAZINGLY STUPID.........

AMERICAN CITIZENS are having to struggle with the issue of HIGHER LEARNING for the children...