Thread: NC: System chief: LET ILLEGAL ALIENS IN

System chief: Let illegal aliens in
Martin Lancaster, head of the state's 58 community colleges, strongly defends allowing illegal immigrants to enroll
Jane Stancill, Staff Writer

In a passionate defense of allowing illegal immigrants to attend the state's community colleges, system President Martin Lancaster said Tuesday that there was no basis in policy or law to deny anyone admission.
Now the question will be considered by lawyers in the state Attorney General's Office. Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman at the office, said lawyers would examine state and federal laws and court decisions to determine the current state of the law.

The issue drew a storm of public outrage over a recent memo from the system's attorney directing all 58 colleges to admit illegal immigrants. The system has about 340 undocumented students out of more than 271,000 degree-seeking students.

Lancaster, whose successor is to be named Thursday, issued a lengthy eight-point statement Tuesday arguing that extending higher education to all residents was crucial for the state's economic future and was "the right thing to do."

"For North Carolina to be competitive in a global economy, it must depend on a knowledge-based workforce which makes it imperative that every future worker in North Carolina receive as much education as possible," said Lancaster, who will retire as system president next year.

"To deny a significant portion of tomorrow's workforce any higher education opportunities will not only hurt these young people who came to North Carolina through no fault of their own, but it will also significantly diminish their incomes forever. The consequences to North Carolina are reduced tax collections and potential payments for social services and incarceration long into the future."

Politicians have lined up to condemn the system's recent decision. Many colleges already admitted illegal immigrants, who are classified as out-of-state students. As a practical matter, high out-of-state tuition deters most from enrolling. Steve Scott, president of Wake Technical Community College, said his institution had not admitted illegal immigrants but will honor the system's directive. With $10,000 a year in tuition, fees and books, Scott said, "you're not going to get many takers."

When news of the Nov. 7 memo was reported last week, the system office in Raleigh was flooded with phone calls from angry citizens. The issue was picked up by conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly on the Fox network.

"For two days, it was relentless," said Audrey Bailey, community college system spokeswoman. It took six staff members to handle the calls. Callers say, "I don't want my tax dollars used to educate illegals," Bailey said.

Stepping down

The controversy threatens to overshadow a milestone for the system, which is expected to announce Thursday a president to succeed Lancaster. He will retire in May after serving almost 11 years. Finalists are Kennon Briggs, vice president for business and finance in the system office; Philip Day Jr., chancellor of City College of San Francisco; and Scott Ralls, president of Craven Community College.

Day said a California law allows immigrants who graduated from the state's public schools to be treated as in-state residents at community colleges. The investment has paid off, he said. He cited a young woman who is an honors student in industrial engineering and plans to transfer to a highly ranked university.

"Is that not better than forcing them to be on the outside looking in?" Day said by telephone from San Francisco.

Briggs declined to comment on the controversy; efforts to reach Ralls were unsuccessful.

The debate intensifies attention on what has long been a political job. Lancaster, a former legislator who served eight years as a congressman in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was successful in pushing the system's needs to the state legislature. In 2000, voters approved $600 million in borrowing for construction for the fast-growing colleges.

The N.C. Community College System is the third largest in the U.S., enrolling more than 800,000 students in degree programs and continuing education classes. With 58 campuses, it is the state's primary provider of work force preparation and adult education.

Phones busy

Last week, Gov. Mike Easley said he supported the policy of including illegal immigrants in that number. On Tuesday, he said the state's phones have been buzzing.

"I think most people seem to be upset that the borders have not been controlled, and that upsets me and every governor in the country who then gets the illegal immigrants in their state and then has to deal with the reality of it," Easley said.

Easley said the community colleges are trying to deal with the fact that, right or wrong, illegal immigrants are here.

"It's like catching a cold. I don't want a cold, ... but if I get it, I'm going to deal with it. I'm going to take the aspirin and whatever it is I got to do. I don't want any illegal immigrants in North Carolina, and the only way we can stop that is for Washington to control the borders. ... Washington has not acted. Therefore we are where we are."
jane.stancill@newsobserver.com or (919) 956-2464

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/immigr ... 11912.html

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Governor Michael Easley
1-800-662-7952 (toll free valid in North Carolina only)
(919)733-4240, or (919)733-5811
Fax: (919)715-3175 or (919)733-2120
Web form for e-mail: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/email.asp?to=1

Martin Lancaster
President of North Carolina Community College Association
(919) 807 - 6950
LANCASTER@nccommunitycolleges.edu

Roy Cooper, Attorney General for North Carolina
Phone: 919-716-6400
Contact information to Attorney General, Roy Cooper. E-mail form is at the bottom of the page:
http://www.ncdoj.com/default_contactus_ ... id=general

North Carolina Community College Asociation
David Sullivan (the miscreant that made the interpretation that it was legal to admit illegal aliens, based on Gov. Easley's memo)
Title: Assistant to President Legal Affairs
Mail Address: 5001 Mail Service Center
Office Location: 171C
Phone: (919) 807-6961
sullivand@nccommunitycolleges.edu

Ms. Stancil,

Amazing bias in your article titled "Let illegal aliens in"! You have six sources, of which five favor the policy and one is neutral.

Your article does mention the fact that the phones at Martin Lancaster's office have been blazing off the hooks with angry callers that oppose the forced decision to put illegal aliens in all of our community colleges.

It is a shame that those people had no representation in your article. In fact, the 80% of North Carolinians that oppose this measure had no voice in your article.

It was just one big biased propaganda piece for the few elites that made the decision.

This is why I will no longer even speak to the Raleigh News & Observer for articles.

You folks are overtly biased that I can't even trust your reporters to quote me accurately.

I just want you and all of the propaganda writers disguised as reporters to know that we continue to watch and monitor articles like this one that completely exclude any voices of opposition to your master plans.

Yes, they become 'your plans' when you become such an active supporter and participant in the effort as to write an article with six sources on the topic that all favor THE SAME POSITION IN SUPPORT of this massively unpopular move.

Don't bother writing back with a suggestion I write the editor. Your editor censors my letters and refuses to let me respond to articles, even when I'm directly attacked by them.

With disgust,

William Gheen
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC)
www.alipac.us

I wonder how much that thinly disguised ad cost the DNC?

INITIAL LETTER TO EASLEY:

RE: Illegal Immigrants

Sir;

There is a word in my subject line that you obviously can't comprehend. We are a nation of laws. Illegal Immigrants are called such for a purpose, they HAVE BROKEN THE LAW BY ENTERING THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

What part of your experience as AG of this state allows you to coddle crimimals in such a manner? I bust my ass on a daily basis to pay ever more increasing taxes. And for what reason? So you can give this state away to those that least deserve it, to those that have yet to prove they are worthly or responsible enough to handle the responsibilities of citizenship? The US is absolutely the easiest nation to LEGALLY immigrate to in the entire world. When illegals show absolutely no respect for our system by entering illegally, they HAVE NO RIGHTS.

Your decision to force the Community College system of this state to allow illegal immigrants is disgusting. Do not obfuscate the issue and place blame on the college board. They themselves DO NOT possess the authority to make such a sweeping change to the state system. Your quiet response to this issue paints a huge GUILTY sign on your forehead. Problem with that is EVERYONE sees that sign, except for yourself.

You have shown the true Mike Easley to the people of this state. Enjoy your last year in office, I for one will not be voting for your reelection. The citizens of this state will have to deal with your ignorance long after you are gone.


A Legal Citizen
Raleigh , NC


RESPONSE:

Thank you for contacting Gov. Mike Easley on this important issue.

Gov. Easley says it is in North Carolina ’s interest to allow immigrants to attend North Carolina community colleges if they qualify and pay out-of-state tuition. Out of state tuition more than covers the cost of the service, so no tax dollars pay for their education. These are young people who were brought here as babies or youngsters, through no fault of their own. They distinguished themselves in our public schools.

Gov. Easley will not grind a heel in their faces and slam doors on them. The community college systems must be open to everyone so they can become productive members of our society and help North Carolina and America compete in the world economy. To do otherwise would be to set a policy that is destined to build a weaker North Carolina . We do not want to reap the consequences of that.

Denying immigrants access to community colleges does not penalize them, it penalizes our state and innocent children. Any problems with immigration exist because of the United States Congress’ failure to accept its Constitutional responsibility to deal honestly with immigration policies.

Thank you,

Office of the Governor


MY RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNORS RESPONSE

"Any problems with immigration exist because of the United States Congress’ failure to accept its Constitutional responsibility to deal honestly with immigration policies."

Why would the Governor use this lame excuse to circumvent current laws of this country in the interest of "innocent" children? The Governor's argument makes no rational sense whatsoever.

Illegal immigrants are ILLEGAL. What is so hard to understand about this? If I speed on the highway, there are consequences I am responsible for. If I steal merchandise from a retail store, there are consequences I am responsible for. Illegals don't have any consequences when they break the law and illegally enter this country. What kind of free ride can I expect from the Governor?

"Gov. Easley will not grind a heel in their faces and slam doors on them."

Maybe true, but just what part did he play in the release of Lee Wayne Hunt? How long did it take the state to realize this man had been wrongfully incarcerated? While not initially on his watch, the state locked this man away for no reason at all. Yet it took a network TV program to expose the flaws in the states' case against this man. The Governor's time and energy are better spent highlighting and correcting problems internal to the state. NOT coddling illegal immigrants who are lawbreakers the second they illegally enter this county.

The Governor is putting the cart before the horse. His FIRST responsibility is to the LEGAL residents of this state.

Sincerely

A Legal Citizen
Raleigh, NC

If they feel like this. Why have out of state tuition at all. Do away with it all together. Shouldn't American taxpayers kids be includes in this. I mean after all it is our tax dollars supporting community colleges right? Does it seem right to allow illegals that are from another country instate tuition while our own Kids that live over the border in another STATE in our own country pay a penalty? Seems to be should apply to all students. Americans children are being penalized again if you ask me it's pretty obvious. Ask them when you call. Watch them studder. They did when I called. They don't want to give up any money from our kids.

NC needs help from Patriots from all over the country!

Keep in mind, Patriots...you do not need to live in North Carolina to make calls, e-mails, faxes, etc. I've had very few who I've called ask me my residency. Even if they do, tell them where you live and that you are outraged because this decision by North Carolina affects the entire nation by futher extending benefits to illegal aliens. It is pure and simple, aiding and abetting illegal aliens. Let them know the entire country is outraged! Illegal immigration is a national tradgedy that affects everyone at the local, regional and state level nationwide! Every American citizen is negatively affected. The more people that call overall, the better and those that call from outside the state need to let them know the entire country is WATCHING!!!

Take Action with us. See this:
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-92808.html

Orr Comments On Admission Of Illegal Immigrants To North Carolina's Community Colleges
Thursday, Nov 29, 2007 - 05:35 PM Updated: 09:02 PM

(Raleigh, NC) – Today, former Supreme Court Justice Robert Orr had the following to say in response illegal immigrants’ attendance at North Carolina’s Community Colleges:

“Earlier this month, officials with the North Carolina Community College System said that North Carolina Community Colleges can no longer refuse undocumented immigrants admission. Officials argued that refusing admission would violate the State Board of Community Colleges’ directive under 23 NCAC 02C.0301 to “maintain an open-door admission policy to all applicants who are high school graduates or who are at least 18 years of age.â€