RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) _ North Carolina's community college system said Tuesday it will no longer admit illegal immigrants into degree programs, following the advice of the state Attorney General's Office.
Last year, the system said it would enroll illegal immigrants who are 18 years old and high school graduates at all of its 58 campuses. While the change was supported by Gov. Mike Easley, it provoked heavy criticism — especially from the leading candidates running to replace the outgoing governor.
The system later asked North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper for guidance on whether the admissions policy was legal under federal law.
Last week, Cooper's office suggested the system drop the admissions policy, although federal immigration officials have said no school is required to check immigration status.
"We asked the Attorney General's Office for clarification of our present policy and will abide by their advice," system President R. Scott Ralls said in a statement. "We will continue to be a primary source of economic advancement for the state by providing world-class education and work force training to every student eligible to enroll."
The change adopted last year changed a 2004 community college policy that left the admissions decision to individual campuses.
The system's new policy will not affect high school students taking any community college classes, or adults in non-college level courses. Ralls also said the 112 illegal immigrants who enrolled in degree classes during the 2006-2007 academic year will be allowed to continue their studies.
In offering his advice to the community college, Cooper called on federal officials to provide clarity on what is legal.
"We have accepted the Attorney General's offer to seek federal clarification of this issue, and they are pursuing that information" Ralls said. "Until we receive further clarification, we will no longer admit individuals classified as illegal or undocumented immigrants into curriculum degree programs."
But federal immigration officials said last week there is no law prohibiting the state from educating illegal immigrants at public colleges and universities.
"The Department of Homeland Security does not require any school to determine a student's status," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement.
It was not immediately clear what further information Cooper's office is seeking from federal authorities.
Allison
Illegal Immigrants : Thursday, May 15, 2008 2:53 PM
I agree with most "legal" citizens that having people who are here "illegally" that don't speak our language, don't work, and potentially abuse the system is frustrating. Especially during a time when the cost of living keeps rising. I don't want to have to pay for other people to live here when it is hard to keep my own family afloat at times. BUT, consider the "illegal" people that are going to these community colleges. They are enrolled in programs so that they can go out into our workforce and make an honest and decent tax paying living. Plus if you look at the workforce here, many of the local companies would be without half of their workers if there were no immigrants. And I sincerely doubt that all of the people who are without jobs would take up all of those jobs, because like it or not there are plenty of "legal" americans who are out there abusing the system right now.
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Richard
"illegal" immigrants : Thursday, May 15, 2008 1:04 PM
To start with, all someone really needs to do is look around to see that it has become apparent that we, as a state or nation, can no longer take care of schools,civil protection,or even medical care because of the exploding vast numbers of "citizens" we now have. So by stopping the admittance of, or other services not really deserving to an "illegal", maybe it will give the legal folks a better chance to abtain what they "truly" have a right to.....
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Anna
NC community college will no longer admit illegal immigrants : Thursday, May 15, 2008 8:28 AM
I think this is horrible, I can't even believe some of the stuff I read below, why shouldn't they get to go to college? I believe this would help everyone, because I think is would lower the crime rate, by given them the opportunity to do better, they will be less likley to go out and commit crime. I can't believe how people act towards immigrants, why are we all upset because some of them don't pay taxes, well that is our goverments fault, we should allow the deserving to become citizens with certain requirements like college, steady jobs and kids all graduate from high school, and it not like they go to college for free, they have to pay out of state tution fees, which is like triple. People are so blinded by hate, that they can't see that immigrants are people to, just trying to better there lives and there children, and what is so wrong with that?
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uncle remus
Enforce the law! : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:27 PM
This is good news for all American citizens! Deport them and punish those who hire/harbor them. Eliminate the incentive for them to come here.
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XOX
Illegal Immigrants......... : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:14 PM
I guess the majority of us understand the term "illegal" what part needs any explanation or clarification. Maybe "they" need to be sitting in line for citizenship like others do. I hear that is a difficult but rewarding accomplishment. No, I think they are all in line at the DMV. How does one have rights when they aren't even suppose to be in this country.
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a real us american who knows the truth behind immigrants
who is the real immigrant & who really trusts in god : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 9:47 PM
i think North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper it's wrong because this students all they want is graduated from college if all of you notice this students graduated with best degres than any legal us citizen so all of this people who is not agree with this indocumented people (THIS IS THE PROPER WORDS WHEN YOU TALKING ABOUT ILLEGALS)they think they never going to bid those degres so this is all about racism because this people pay taxes like any other citizen you can find this by calling IRS & ask them how you can get a valid number to report your taxes when you don't have a valid social security number with the diference they cannot apply for unemployment or walfare like many people think this is completely wrong & when all of the us citizens pay taxes is to fix streets you worn out with your cars & maintain the war so don't blame your problems to this people leave them along hopefully everybody report every single penny they earned to not to become "illegal" to uncle sam so go back to europe the place where all the "AMERICANS" came from
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Ken Beck
Why would we anyway???? : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 9:07 PM
Why in the world would our state University system ever enroll an illegal alien? Who would be paying for that education I wonder? Illegals should not have access to any free thing in the US, or any type of benifit except a ticket home where they belong. Then they can go through regular channels, and start at the end of the line for breaking the law.
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don tesh
misuse of office & funds : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 6:27 PM
too simple...illegal ILLEGAL..(against the law) violaters to be prossecuted: Roy Cooper and R. scottt ralls..Having aidded ILLEGALS (more than 100)..Have clearly violated their oath of office and should be charged accordingly
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A stranger
Matthew 25:35 : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:22 PM
There is no _oxymoron_ here. No one is contending that illegal immigrants have rights to all services; in fact, this is what is being clarified. Everyone in the US (legal and illegal) has some rights, including the protection of the Constitution and what some might call "natural laws." Would you argue that an illegal alien does not have the right to life or safety from violence? What is yet to be determined is where the line is to be drawn between murder and the right to an education in terms of rights. And this line is determined by Federal Law, not by State Law. What the Atty General has done is correct. "For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me."
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Ken Cofer
What's the deal : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:26 PM
Sometimes the gov't seems to stumble over their own feet. The article is about " illegal " students ,but yet there seems to be a need to check the legal rights and status of these individuals. Please, explain the seeming oximoron here. How can you be illegal and still possess legal rights and privileges. This is a synopsis of how ignorant our gov't works and believes.
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Proud North Carolinian.
It's about time : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:21 PM
It's about time someone stood up for the rights of law abiding citizens.
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Stephanie Jones
Illegal Immigrants : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:12 PM
It sure has been a waste of tax payers money not to teach them ENGLISH! I am tired of hearing speak no english.LEARN IT! I am not learning another language for someone else convenince. You come to this country you learn our language.
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Andrea Dry
nc community college no longer admit illegal immigrant : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:05 PM
I think that it should never been done in the first place. I am tired of paying taxes on illegal immigrants that does not pay taxes and have multiple children and then they get medicaid and food stamps.I and other legal citizens are tired of working when the illegal ones get the benefits.Maybe this is a step in the right direction for our country. We will see.
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Valerie Berns
Illegal : Tuesday, May 13, 2008 2:35 PM
Whether there is a law or not prohibiting the state from educating illegal immigrants, it doesn't seem to matter. The "law" would not apply to education just like it doesn't apply to immigration to the USA illegally. Illegal. Against the law. Webster's defines it as "not according to or authorized by law".
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