Education for illegal immigrants splits state
By Carolyn Casey
Rocky Mount Telegram

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Recent decisions from the state's higher education systems have sparked debate about the state's obligation to educate illegal immigrants past high school.

While local community colleges must follow the state ruling, government officials say opposition remains strong and discussions are far from over.

An N.C. Community College System announcement made nearly three weeks forces each of the 58 campuses to keep an open-door policy regardless of immigration status. Days later, the University of North Carolina system said it will consider allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition.

"I don't think North Carolina has any obligation to offer higher education (to illegal immigrants) whether it be community college or the university system," said N.C. Rep. Bill Daughtridge, R-Nash. "If we give away free higher education at taxpayers' expense, there will be no reason for them to become a documented legal alien."

Those wanting to pursue education past high school should be on a pathway to citizenship, said N.C. Sen. A.B. Swindell, D-Nash, who is concerned that classroom space will be taken up by those who can't seek legal employment after graduating with a degree.

Proponents for extending education past high school say the community college policy is realistic and speaks to the current job force.

"If we deny the opportunity to get an education in the community colleges, then we create more problems than we solve by creating a permanent underclass of poor people," said David Mills, Common Sense Foundation executive director.

Neither Nash nor Edgecombe community colleges have illegal immigrants enrolled in curriculum courses, but officials say they are prepared to follow the state system's guidelines.

"The college has always provided higher educational opportunities for the North Carolina high-school graduates seeking admission," Nash Community College President Dr. Bill Carver said in an e-mail statement. "This being said, it is without question that all procedures and guidelines prescribed by the North Carolina administrative code will be adhered to when evaluating students for admission."

Edgecombe Community College President Dr. Deborah Lamm said in the past the college hasn't dealt with illegal immigrants mainly because of affordability issues.

The Community College System estimates tuition, fees and books for an illegal immigrant would cost about $10,000 per year.

Even with the policy in place, Lamm said the likelihood of attracting those students is slim due to money.

While the N.C. Attorney General's Office reviews the state and federal laws regarding the Community College Systems' policy, its opponents remain vocal. Republican gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith passed through Nash and Edgecombe counties last week speaking out against the policy because of its federal violations.

Swindell and Mills said immigration enforcement should fall under federal jurisdiction, and comprehensive reform needs to happen soon.

"I think it's time for Congress to do what is right," Swindell said. "I think it's a federal issue, and we're having to react because of the federal governments inability to act."

Though there's a clear split on the state's educational responsibility, most agree concentration should focus on state residents.

"I think we have reason to question why people should not be on a pathway (to citizenship) if we're taking space up from educating our own folks," Swindell said.
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