ALIPAC Warns NC Public and Lawmakers about In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens Attempt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3/21/2007

CONTACT: William Gheen
WilliamG@alipac.us
(919) 787-6009
www.alipac.us

Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) played a central role in the defeat of HB 1183 in 2005 which attempted to establish taxpayer subsidized In-State Tuition for illegal aliens in North Carolina and is now warning lawmakers and the public that the measure may be snuck into law this year by past governor Jim Hunt and his legislative allies.

"We are being told that Jim Hunt and his supporters in Raleigh plan to try to avoid public discourse, on this legislation, by sneaking it into a budget bill or other omnibus legislation," says William Gheen of ALIPAC. "Since their above board tactics failed in 2005, they may resort to a sneak play."

In 2005, Jim Hunt announced HB 1183 at a press conference, which resulted in extensive media coverage and a massive backlash from the public. Angry e-mails and phone calls flooded the offices of the General Assembly; ten lawmakers quickly pulled their names from the bill leaving it to die in committee.

"We know for a fact that over 80% of North Carolina's likely voters oppose this measure," says Gheen. "This law replaces many American children in the limited seats in our Universities, with illegal aliens at taxpayer expense!"

During the debate over HB 1183, Elon University released an erroneous poll claiming more NC citizens supported the measure than opposed it. Later polls, including one from the Civitas Institute, showed over 80% opposition to the measure.

Since 2005, the In-State tuition measure has failed in Virginia, Florida, and Georgia as well as in Massachusetts where it failed by a vote of 96-57.

Of the nine states that have this measure in place, many found the provisions snuck into law, without a chance for public input or debate!

"We are asking lawmakers, media, and citizens to be diligent for any underhanded attempt to pass in-state tuition for illegals into law, without proper debate," says William Gheen. "We are asking the supporters of this measure to do the right thing and follow the legislative process to allow proper debate."

During the 2005 debate on this issue, State Senator Neil Hunt discovered that provisions had already been snuck into law, which allows illegal aliens to receive In-State tuition, at NC Community colleges. His amendment to close this loophole passed the Senate, in the budget bill, by a wide margin. The amendment was later removed, behind closed doors, by unnamed legislators.

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Paid for by
AMERICANS FOR LEGAL IMMIGRATION PAC
Post Office Box 30966, Raleigh, NC 27622-0966
Tel: (919) 787-6009 Toll Free: (866) 329-3999
FEC ID: C00405878