Thread: N.C.: Brunswick commissioners consider resolution opposing i

Brunswick commissioners consider resolution opposing illegal immigrants in community colleges

By Ana Ribeiro


Published: Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:42 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 18, 2010 at 3:42 p.m.

The Brunswick County commissioners could wield some power to keep undocumented immigrants from attending community colleges in North Carolina.

While the N.C. Community College System tries to pass a rule allowing undocumented immigrants to sign up for classes, the Brunswick commissioners will consider a resolution Tuesday opposing it. The community college system says that if its Rules Review Commission receives at least 10 written objections from the public requesting legislative review of the rule, it won't yet go into effect and will be sent to the General Assembly, which could vote to kill it.

North Carolina has gone back and forth on the matter, but current policy states undocumented immigrants are not allowed to enroll in the state's community colleges, except in non-degree programs such as GED classes or when taking college courses while in high school. The proposal to open that up is currently going through a months-long review process, after the state community college board's approval in September and a public hearing in December, said Megen Hoenk, spokeswoman for the N.C. Community College System..

Brunswick County Commissioners' Chairman Bill Sue said that he's confident the county board will pass the resolution against the proposed change and that several others in the state, including nearby Columbus County, have passed similar resolutions. Sue said undocumented immigrants should be treated like anyone else who is breaking the law and should not have the privilege to study at the state's community colleges.

Sue said the county board already voted 4-1 in favor of the resolution in its preliminary stage, with the sole dissenting voice coming from Commissioner Charles Warren.

“I feel we need to be more human, we need to care for people,â€

Brunswick County resolution backs ban on illegals in colleges

By Ana Ribeiro


Published: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 9:12 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 9:12 p.m.

Brunswick County residents had mixed reactions to the county commissioners’ resolution to bar undocumented immigrants from the state’s community colleges, but as predicted, most of the board voted for it Tuesday night.

Based on a past vote, county commissioners’ Chairman Bill Sue, a supporter of the resolution, had been confident it would pass 4-1 – as it did, with Commissioner Charles Warren dissenting. The document calls for the N.C. General Assembly “to fully dismiss and with due finality prohibit illegal aliens from enrolling,â€