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After four back and forth policy changes since 2000, illegal immigrants will be allowed to attend North Carolina's community colleges, under a few conditions.
Priority must be given to U.S. citizens if classroom space is tight and illegal immigrants must have graduated from a U.S. high school as well as pay out of state tuition.
The State Board of Community Colleges approved the rules Friday.
With only one "no" vote, the state's 58 community college campuses will open up to illegal immigrants. Chairman of the policy committee Stuart Fountain says much of the decision had to do with the children brought to the U.S. by the parents and had no say in the matter.
"These children cannot be held in limbo while the federal government decides what to do about immigration," Fountain said.
Marco Zarate, who represents the N.C. Society of Hispanic Professionals, says the organization is thrilled about the new policy.
"We believe that education is probably one of the few things that once you have it nobody can take it away from you," Zarate said.
Lt. Governor Walter Dalton was the only board member to vote "no."
"In a year where we have had to limit access to some because of economic constraints, I did not feel it was the appropriate thing to do today to expand access to undocumented students," Dalton said.
State Republican Chairman Tom Fetzer says the board's decision sends the wrong message.
"It shows a lack of respect for the law, and it shows a lack of respect for the people who come here legally every year," Fetzer said.
But the 111 illegal immigrants currently enrolled in the community college system likely won't be joined by a wave of others. Unprecedented enrollment rates are making space tighter, and U.S. citizens get priority under this policy.
Undocumented students will pay $7,700 a year, which is five times more than the $1,600 a year in-state students pay.
"We feel that we can find the way to find the resources for these students, especially students who are determined," Zarate said.
Board Chairwoman Hilda Pinnix-Ragland says she commends the work the board has done and is happy there is finally a policy to go by.
"This puts us in a very good position because we will be consistent with the other UNC universities," Pinnix-Ragland said.
Pinnix-Ragland says the new admission policy won't go into effect for another 6 to 12 months as it goes through a required administrative rules process.
Scott Ralls, president of the N.C. Community College System, issued this statement on the admissions policy:
"I commend our state board on a positive conclusion to a very difficult task. The board came down on the side of educating people who have already demonstrated success by graduating from a U.S. high school, who must pay a much higher rate of tuition to enroll and who will not displace a legal resident in obtaining a seat in a classroom. In short, this policy reflects the admissions standards of other states and of the public universities by offering educational opportunity to those who are willing to work hard to obtain it."
Here's what House Republican leader Representative Paul Stam, R-Wake, had to say in a statement:
"This decision to admit illegal aliens to our community colleges is an affront to the people of our state who value the rule of law," said Rep. Stam. "The board has defied Governor Perdue and the majority of North Carolina citizens. We have no objection to those of other nations studying at our colleges, if they have a proper visa. But the state cannot ignore the law."
A spokeswoman for Governor Perdue issued this statement on behalf of the governor:
"The members of the board clearly knew what the governor's position on the matter was and her position has not changed. And while she respects the members, she disagrees with the decision they made today."
Read More:
Community College Committee Votes To Allow Undocumented Immigrants (9/17/09)
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- BJ on 09/23 09:46 PM
Everyone who works pays these taxes they are withdrawn from your check, nobody is exempt. And you are right most of them don't make enough to pay taxes, but also many of them don't file taxes either. So they are not receiving their refunds, the government is keeping them. That's how they pay taxes. Also sales tax, property tax they pay this as well.
- Randy Dye on 09/23 06:56 PM
BJ, illgal immagrants don't make enough money to pay taxes and how in the world are they paying SS without a SS number?
- BJ on 09/23 06:43 PM
Richard you are so ignorant and are stereotyping illegal immigrants:"Give it all to the mexians you morons". By the way it's Mexicans. Not all illegal immigrants are Mexican! Get your facts straight before you speak. Also illegal immigrants that work,mainly all, also pay taxes just like you; social security, medicaid, state, etc... The only difference is that when they retire they aren't eligible for social security, disability,medicaid anything. So this money goes to YOU not them! I agree with this decision to allow smart students into college. Even though they will be admitted most don't have the funds to attend and probably will not. Contrary to what Tim B said,"BUT if we were illegal aliens he could probably get a GOVERNMENT GRANT and go free!", that is not true, once again to be eligible you must have a valid social security number which they don't. I would rather have them contribute to society in a positive way.
- Randy Dye on 09/19 11:59 AM
Trust me, the money of them having top pay out of state tuition is just a front. All this does it put them in a stronger politcal position down the road, the out of stae tuition is BS at it's best.
- VAMtns1941 on 09/19 11:56 AM
Gees! Why are we even admitting illegal immigrants? - 5 times regular tuition probably does not cover the total taxpayer's costs for 1 student - admitting illegal immigrants prevents legal citizens from getting in to the community college system. Obviously WRONG! - What responsibility does the community college system have to report these illegal immigrants? If none, how stupid and wrong is this? All illegal immigrants should be returned to their home country & encourages to follow legal immigration regulations & rules.
- T.S. on 09/18 10:03 PM
Did you guys even read the article? Oh noes, illegal immigrants! From the article "Undocumented students will pay $7,700 a year, which is FIVE times more than the $1,600 a year in-state students pay." They are going to make money on these students - likely using the excess to give our kids scholarships, not give them anything free. Heavens if we give them resources to becoming meaningful contributors to society... do you know what it takes to become an american citizen? Several thousand dollars in application fees, 7 years, and an exam most of you here would not pass from the likes of the comments. They are talking about students who are dragged here by their parents who want for them to have a better life. If someone decides to make the uneducated comment that I am not a US citizen I am, born and raised, and proud that we can we continue to be a true melting pot.
- Richard on 09/18 07:19 PM
illegal immigrants. You people are morons, let them all in an then vote to let them take over our country. Give them everything. Don`t give us americans that worked hard all our live and pay social security. Give it all to the mexians you morons
- Randy Dye on 09/18 02:29 PM
What don't they understand about ILEGALL!
- Charles Hartman on 09/18 01:24 PM
Governor Perdue is against this. Probably the only thing she has ever said/done that I agree with. Her point is quite clear, it is illegal to give a job to an illegal, so why would we waste the money, effort, and time to educate them for work which is against the law to do!!!!! STUPID STUPID STUPID
- T. S. on 09/18 12:11 PM
"This is circumvents the constitution for starter. How can a criminal be eligible for my tax dollars" They are allowing the children of illegal immigrants the right to an education and the same status as on out of state student - whom by the way pay the same fees as international students. The constitution was partially written by Benjamin Franklin, the first person to implement public schools and public libraries and was a firm supporter of education for ALL. The implementation of this plan will set in a place a means to crack down on those that claim residency but in fact are not. I applaud this plan. As long as they are paying full tuition I see no harm in this plan. They are not eating your tax dollars, which by the way do go into the prison system that house the real criminals.
- Tim B on 09/18 12:00 PM
SO my son can't get college assistance because we as working TAXPAYING AMERICANS don't "qualify" BUT if we were illegal aliens he could probably get a GOVERNMENT GRANT and go free! Amazing, Sadly Proud To Be an AMERICAN! Tim B
- Poe on 09/18 11:47 AM
Q: "This is a real stick in the eye for American citizens who pay their taxes and are living by the law. How can you give any rights to someone who's here by breaking the law! Does this mean that an illegal alien could potentially displace a legal resident of this country through the college selection process!" A: No. There is no "selection process" at the community college level. Anyone can attend.
- Legal Immigrant on 09/18 11:34 AM
This is a real stick in the eye for American citizens who pay their taxes and are living by the law. How can you give any rights to someone who's here by breaking the law! Does this mean that an illegal alien could potentially displace a legal resident of this country through the college selection process!
- Lillian Bradley on 09/18 11:25 AM
This is circumvents the constitution for starter. How can a criminal be eligible for my tax dollars
