Policy prohibits illegal immigrants at CVCC

Read the press release from the N.C. Community College System
Read the letter to all college presidents
By Sarah Newell Williamson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: August 9, 2008

HICKORY - The president of Catawba Valley Community College says he misunderstood the N.C. Community College System's policy on admitting illegal immigrants. The college will continue under the system's May directive not to allow undocumented immigrants into the college, said President Garrett Hinshaw.

"It was a misunderstanding on my part," Hinshaw said.

On Wednesday, Hinshaw said CVCC would go back to the policy it had in place prior to May, which allowed illegal or undocumented immigrants into the college.

He said Community College System President Scott Ralls notified him of the misunderstanding.

"We discussed the issue. CVCC was supposed to wait until the state board met on Aug. 14 and 15 to discuss the issue," Hinshaw said. "We'll await any action by them and we'll change our policy then."

In May, the Community College System received a letter from Attorney General Roy Cooper's office. The letter stated post-secondary education is a benefit undocumented or illegal aliens aren't eligible to receive.

Ralls asked for further clarification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The school system received a letter in July from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stating, "admission to public post-secondary educational institutions is not one of the benefits regulated by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996."

The letter goes on to say "states must decide for themselves whether or not to admit illegal aliens into their public post-secondary institutions. States may bar or admit illegal aliens from enrolling in public post-secondary institutions either as a matter of policy or through legislation."

On Friday, Hinshaw apologized for any confusion his comments have caused the community, adding he wants what is best for the students and the citizens.
http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/content/2 ... ants-cvcc/