Politicians kick it away

Saturday, Jun. 21, 2008 3:00 am

Illegal immigration is a political football in the General Assembly, and most legislators are punters.

One question that requires a clear answer is whether illegal immigrants should be allowed to attend state universities and community colleges. At the moment, confusion abounds. The community college system has changed its policy twice in less than a year: first no, then yes, then no again. The governor says yes, but the attorney general says no. The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor say no.

What the legislature says is important. It should decide, on behalf of the people of the state, who is eligible to attend their institutions of higher learning.

But the legislature won't say. Bills have been filed allowing or prohibiting admission of illegal immigrants, yet only a minority of legislators has signed on to support either one. The bills have been sent to committees where no action has been taken. And nothing is likely to happen.

So, a few legislators are willing to run the ball one way or the other on this issue. Good for them. They were elected to make tough decisions, just as football players suit up so they can get in the game. But most legislators would rather punt the ball away. Why put on helmets and shoulder pads if they want to avoid contact?

Some of those on the sidelines blame Washington for the difficulties states face. They're right. Lax border security and weak enforcement of immigration laws give states like North Carolina large undocumented populations. States are required by a U.S. Supreme Court decision to provide public education for the children of illegal immigrants. There's no such order for higher education, but some state leaders, like Gov. Mike Easley, conclude that it doesn't make sense to deny qualified graduates of North Carolina high schools the opportunity to advance to a state university or community college and become a more productive member of society.

But that's where federal law raises another barrier: Even with a college degree, illegal immigrants aren't entitled to employment in the United States. Until that changes, affording them space in our colleges and universities that could be used for legal residents isn't a wise policy.

Congress owes a solution. It should allow otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants a chance to pay a penalty in return for a place in line for legal status. That would give their noncitizen children an opportunity to attend college.

For now, however, the legislature should reserve seats in state colleges and universities for legal residents. There's been too much punting already on immigration issues.

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