This article is on our Home Page. Great qoute from ALIPAC President William Gheen. Way to go William!

http://www.alipac.us/article-338--0-0.html

Lawmakers would let students pay less, even if parents in N.C. illegally
SHARIF DURHAMS
Raleigh Bureau
Charlotte Observer
April 12, 2005
Topics: Tuition, Americans, Citizens,
Lawmakers, NC, ALIPAC,Illegal Immigrants,
Illegal Immigration

RALEIGH - Federal law gives children of illegal immigrants the right to attend public grade schools. Once those children become college age, however, they have to pay out-of-state tuition to attend N.C. public universities -- usually a prohibitive barrier.

Four lawmakers, including Rep. Jeff Barnhart, R-Cabarrus, will introduce legislation today that would let those children pay in-state rates if they've attended N.C. public schools for four years, graduate from a state high school and meet other criteria, such as admission to a state university.

Nine states have passed similar legislation and at least 16 other states have considered it, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Opponents say the measure would be one of many government giveaways that lure illegal immigrants to North Carolina.

As many as 1,450 illegal immigrants graduated from N.C. high schools this spring, according to an estimate from the Raleigh-based Hispanic advocacy group El Pueblo. The estimated cost for N.C. students to attend UNC Charlotte was $11,150 last school year. For out-of-state students, it was $20,709. At least some of that difference is subsidized by taxes.

But backers say the children will be here anyway, they want to attend college and they could contribute more to the state's economy with a college education.

"We're making (college) unattainable," Barnhart said. "Basically, we're punishing young students because their parents decided to live somewhere different."

In addition, Barnhart said, the children of illegal immigrants can't receive federal grants that others students get, which makes the out-of-pocket cost even higher for those families.

Bill Gheen, president for the Raleigh-based Americans for Legal Immigration, said he sympathizes with the students and acknowledges that it wasn't their decision to come to North Carolina. But giving them in-state rates, he said, rewards the parents for breaking the law.

"The parents who broke the law are responsible for the hardship, not the taxpayers of North Carolina," Gheen said. "That's not meant to be mean or harsh to anybody."

Parents who are legally in the country, Gheen said, would be upset to see an illegal immigrant's child take a college seat their child could have had.

The bill is one of many this year that has divided state lawmakers over illegal immigration.

For instance, despite some rule-tightening last year, many continue to argue over whether the state is too lenient in giving driver's licenses to applicants who might not be in the state legally. Sen. Hugh Webster, R-Alamance, introduced legislation last month that requires state and local officials check applicants' immigration status before providing public services.

But the education legislation has shaken those alliances. Barnhart has pushed for tightening the drivers license requirements, but backs this legislation, saying, "It's the right thing to do."

Reps. Paul Luebke, D-Durham, Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland, and John Saul, R-Harnett, plan to introduce the legislation and they have backing from former Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt. UNC system officials didn't return a call Monday seeking their position.