fayobserver.com
Published on Monday, August 11, 2008
Colleges to discuss allowing illegal immigrants
By Corey G. Johnson
Staff writer

The state community college system will discuss at its monthly meetings this week whether to allow illegal immigrants into degree programs.

The decision to revisit the contentious issue comes after federal Homeland Security officials told the state Attorney General’s Office in July that no federal law bars illegal immigrants from pursuing degrees. The discussions will be held during the Thursday and Friday sessions of the community colleges’ board in Raleigh, spokeswoman Audrey Bailey said.

Tony Asion, director of the Raleigh-based Hispanic advocacy group El Pueblo, expressed excitement over the decision to reopen discussion on the issue.

“This is good for everyone in the state,â€