Southern state's immigration stance stirs controversy
Fri Dec 7, 11:57 AM ET



North Carolina's decision to order community colleges to admit illegal immigrants has stirred fresh debate over one the thorniest issues in the 2008 presidential race.

Reaction to the directive, issued by state authorities, has been overwhelmingly negative in this conservative southern state, and the five major candidates for governor -- Democrats and Republicans -- have opposed the new policy.

But North Carolina Community College System's president, Martin Lancaster defended the move.

"The vast majority of students who might pursue an educational opportunity at a community college came to this country as young children having no choice in the matter," Lancaster said.

"It is not only the right law and policy, but it is the right thing to do."

Community colleges are the state's main provider of workforce training and adult education.

But the leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, state Senator Fred Smith, sent a letter to North Carolina's attorney general arguing that the new policy flouts federal law as it could encourage people to enter the United States illegally.

The state's attorney general Roy Cooper will review state and federal law to determine the legality of the policy, his office said.

Controversy over the issue spread nationwide as conservative radio and TV hosts had a field day denouncing the policy.

Immigration consistently ranks as one of the top issues in US politics.

A comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have boosted security along the US-Mexico border and offered a path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants died in the US Senate earlier this year. Opponents said the legislation would have offered "amnesty" to law-breaking immigrants.

Last month, in the face of strong outcry, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer withdrew a proposal to enable undocumented immigrants to receive driver's licenses.

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