Thread: NJ: County College of Morris board to reconsider allowing il

County College of Morris board to reconsider allowing illegal immigrants to enroll
Published: Sunday, March 20, 2011, 11:15 AM
Dan Goldberg/The Star-Ledger By Dan Goldberg/The Star-Ledger

MORRISTOWN — The board of trustees at the County College of Morris said they would reconsider their decision to admit undocumented immigrants, but gave no indication that they would alter the controversial policy.

The board was responding to a letter from the county freeholders, who suggested undocumented students be charged the out-of-state tuition rate — no matter where they reside. That was one of many concerns the freeholders brought to the trustees.

"Charging undocumented immigrants the in-county rate is just wrong," said Freeholder Margaret Nordstrom. "Under no circumstances should a citizen pay more than an undocumented alien."

County residents pay about $3,450 a year at CCM for a full course load, compared with $9,795 for out-of-state students. Students who live in New Jersey but out of county pay $6,795.

The trustees said they would formally respond to the freeholders’ letter at their next board meeting in April.

Though the trustees did not weigh in, the debate raged on during Wednesday’s board meeting with both advocates and opponents imploring trustees.

Larry Casha, a former trustee, said he was concerned that this sent the wrong message to the student body.

"It’s okay if you don’t like laws; you can ignore them," he said sarcastically.

At its February meeting, the trustees enacted a policy that makes the public two-year college one of the first schools in New Jersey to openly enroll illegal immigrants and allow them to pay the same tuition rate as other county residents. The policy takes effect in the summer.

Most of New Jersey’s two- and four-year colleges have a "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy when it comes to admitting illegal immigrants. Applicants are not asked for Social Security numbers when they apply, so the colleges do not know if they are in the country illegally.

CCM had done the same until it enacted a specific policy barring undocumented immigrants in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

That, according to college President Edward Yaw, forced talented Morris students to attend college in other counties.

Francisco Agudelo a 17-year-old Colombian student at Randolph High School, said he was thankful for the policy change. Children of immigrants — documented or not — are just looking for a chance to better themselves, he said.

"You have opened the door to hundreds like myself," Agudelo said.

Under the new policy, only students who are 35 or younger and graduated from a U.S. high school are eligible. Students must also prove they entered the U.S. before age 16 and lived in the country at least five consecutive years.

"You have the support of the student body," said Natalie Lattimore, president of the Student Government Association.

Several members of the Morris Patriots, a conservative activist group, voiced their displeasure with the decision, chiding the trustees for enabling undocumented immigrants to reap the benefits of citizenship.

Barbara Eames, a Morris Patriot, said she understood that tax dollars were used to subsidize their primary education and that the policy would only affect children brought across the border by their parents, but did not feel persuaded.

"None of those reasons are reasons to grant them in-county tuition because they are not citizens," Eames said. "I suggest you seriously revisit those issues before your April 20 meeting."

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/0 ... board.html

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Morris County officials urge community college to reconsider allowing illegal immigrants to enroll: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/0 ... rge_c.html

• County College of Morris votes to allow illegal immigrants to enroll in classes: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/0 ... allow.html

NO college within the USA should allow an illegal student to be enrolled in their institution. NO tuition funding or credits should be issued to an undocumented student.

NO REWARDS PERIOD...

These rewards for Illegal entry are what CAUSES illegal immigration. EVERY SINGLE BENNIE AND REWARD MUST BE TAKEN AWAY IN ORDER TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION....This goes for Birthright Citizenship as well because its a HUGE reason for Illegals to plop out babies here for free citizenship...

The more you accomodate Illegals the more that will flood across the border. Only taking a tough stance and saying "NO" can Illegal Immigration be curbed.

Shame on them. Why reward bad behavior? They are sending the wrong message to kids and college students. Most Americans can't even afford college anymore. Why give monetary breaks to illegals?

I know that you are all thinking it, but have you noticed that ALL groups, except white, unless gay, are priviledged. They are treated special. I thought the object of our constitution and bill of rights was to prevent this.

County residents pay about $3,450 a year at CCM for a full course load, compared with $9,795 for out-of-state students. Students who live in New Jersey but out of county pay $6,795.

This is totally twisted, actual citizens living outside the county but in NJ have to pay more!

Illegals should not be even given the option to attend a college or a High School for that matter. Why do we have to give them the seats in our schools? They need to go back to their homelands and go to school there.

CCM votes to charge higher rates to illegal immigrants



6:37 PM, Apr. 20, 2011 |
5Comments

RANDOLPH -- The County College of Morris board of trustees reversed a policy they approved just two months ago by voting Wednesday night to charge illegal immigrants higher tuition rates than other students who live in the county.


The trustees voted 9 to 2 to charge undocumented students out-of-state tuition in front of a crowd of more than 200 people in the CCM gym that included people on both sides of the issue. The vote came at the end of a meeting that lasted close to four hours and included dozens of people making sometimes emotional testimony during the public portion.


Chairwoman Elaine Johnson and Michael Van Allen were the only votes for the lower rates.

More than 70 people affiliated with Wind of the Spirit immigrant resource group demonstrated outside the gym before the meeting in favor of in-county tuition for undocumented students.


They held up signs that said “Stop Racism,â€

I disagree with all of them, IMO illegal aliens should be paying international student rates. They are not legally present in this country, they do not belong here. But hey, if they want to go to college, they should pay the out of country rate period! Can't afford it? Too bad, so sad, go to college in your home countries! We have a tough time paying in-state tuition and we're citizens of this country!

Board committee says County College of Morris should charge illegal immigrants out-of-state tuition- Updated


Published: Wednesday, April 20, 2011, 11:10 PM Updated: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 8:16 AM

county-college-of-morris.JPGRobert Sciarrino/The Star-LedgerA County College of Morris student works at a computer station located in the Sherman Masten Learning Resource Center in this 2010 file photo. School officials are allowing illegal immigrants to enroll starting this summer.

MORRISTOWN — The decision means tuition for illegal immigrants would jump from $115 a credit to $326 a credit — or from $3,450 a year to $9,780, plus fees, for full-time students.

“I’m not happy with it, but I am only one voice and there are 11 voices,â€