Schools keep ban on illegals
RALEIGH — The State Board of Community Colleges voted last week to retain a policy barring illegal immigrants from admission while members study other states' admissions practices and consider drafting a new, permanent policy.
The 58-school system adopted its current admissions policy in May, as attorney General Roy Cooper sought guidance on whether admitting illegal immigrants violated federal law. Last month, the Department of Homeland Security replied that the issue is up to states.
The department's answer essentially freed the community college system to establish its own policy.
But as the board discussed a plan to hire an outside consultant to study other states' admissions policies, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, who attended the meeting via telephone, asked board members to retain the current restriction.
Perdue had said last week she didn't want the board to confuse school officials and students by changing admissions guidelines with the beginning of the academic year just around the corner.
Perdue and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, respectively the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates, have said they oppose allowing illegal immigrants to attend the state's community colleges.
Eleven of the 16 board members who attended Friday voted in favor of Perdue's measure.
No members voiced opposition.
"I do think that to be changing in the middle of the stream can be very inconvenient not only for the institutions but for the students," member Norma Turnage said after the meeting.
Turnage said she hopes the board will draft a less restrictive permanent plan.
The community college system has changed its admissions policy on illegal immigrants four times over the last eight years as officials have tried to keep the system open while abiding by the law.
Scott Ralls, the system's president, has said 112 illegal immigrants were enrolled in degree classes during the 2006-2007 academic year, the most recent count available.
Several board members on Thursday indicated they would like the system to revert to an earlier "open door" policy allowing all students to attend, regardless of their educational background or residency status.
Many also said they think the community college system's admissions standards should mirror the University of North Carolina system's standards.
The UNC system allows illegal immigrants to attend if they have graduated from a high school in the United States, pay out-of-state tuition and do not receive financial aid from the government.
But any such changes appear to be months away.
After approving Perdue's measure, the board voted to hire an outside consultant to study other states' admissions policies.
Board member Stuart Fountain said that study will take a few months and creating a new policy, even longer.
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Comments
ForPnC (anonymous) says...
If illegals have sense enough to want to improve themselves through our education system then they should use that same common sense to be become a citizen.
August 22, 2008 at 3:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
You're illegal.
That means you don't belong here.
That also means you shouldn't have the benefits of being a LEGAL citizen.
That also, also means get out of my country until you want to follow the law, losers.
August 22, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cpanther515 (anonymous) says...
McCain and Lindsay Graham are all for making the illegals citizens!
August 22, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
As an experiment in my distorted head, how about the hypothetical situation of granting amnesty for all illegals in the US at this time, but shooting anyone (and I mean kill them) that tries to cross the border from now on.
Would you say yes or no to that plan...IF they could make it stick?
August 22, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
But wouldn't it be good for the illegals who are here now and who have "helped and continue to stimulate our economy" be allowed to stay?
That way, we would maintain the stability of the economy and friendly relations with the folks that are already here, while setting up the very firm policy for future immigrants.
Sounds good to me.
August 22, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lou9 (anonymous) says...
We need to put land mines all along the border - just like the DMZ in Korea.
August 22, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
Sure, there are a "few" bad apples in the US but most hard working illegals pump money into our economy with purchases at stores and...
Okay, I admit it. I could never be a liberal.
How on Earth do they do it? Believe that rhetoric? Sheeesh...
August 22, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
Awww...Dangit! And I thought I was doing a pretty good impression, too...
Oh well, there goes my Vice Presidential hopes with Hillary...
August 22, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
Illegals don't pump money into our economy. If you were to do a balance sheet you would probably come to the conclusion that they are taking. Look at it this way:
They're spending money in stores which generates business, but all that means is that they're paying sales tax. If they're working off the books they're not paying income tax, but if they draw services from the govt it will quickly diminish any revenues that they do pay. The same can be said for people who drop out of high school. What little money in taxes they do pay is eaten up by any benefits that they qualify for. If you only make $18k per year, or even $25k per year, but you have two or more children are are eligible for any kind of public assistance..guess what? You don't pay any taxes. On the contrary, you recieve money from the government over and above what you paid in taxes.
August 22, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DoaMM (anonymous) says...
Nope, just smoked the dope from the other board.
:)
August 22, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iceman1978 (anonymous) says...
tripsa, I've read similar stories. It makes me happy to hear that they are going home. If it were up to me they would all be leaving. Once gone I would build a border zone 1/4 mile thick along the entire border. Contrary to what critics say about the border being "pourous" it can be secured. The Soviets have proven that borders most certainly can be secured.
So the social services of the Mexican govt are being overwhelmed now that they're returning?
I'm sure I can find a violin around here somewhere.
LOL
Now they'll know what we've had to deal with for years.
August 23, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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