Not only should they be admitted, but if they can prove residence, they should get in-state tuition. Why? They pay sales taxes, they need education, and the state is better off WITH a more educated workforce (legal and illegal) than it is with a less-educated illegal population. They're not going anywhere, so we might as well make an effort to see that they can make as much of a contribution to society and the economy as possible.

Unbelievable -- I still do not understand anyone's dismay over the word and status ILLEGAL!

Becaule ILLEGAL is just that--ILLEGAL. They may pay sales tax but don't pay taxes and suck up needed resources for real Americans.

We have many LEGAL US students who are not able to get into college because of the ILLEGAL students who are taking their spots! When is someone going to get the idea that we need to concentrate on our own citizens first????

Illegal means they should be deported, not admitted. Would somebody please tell me if ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD allows illegal immigrants to register at their universities?

The legal status of immigrants says nothing at all about one obvious fact: they carry much more than their weight, in many cases doing jobs that no one else will do. Investing in them is about more than compassion: it is also good fiscal and taxation policy. When they are trained, immigrants can and do carry their work ethic over into even better jobs, where they pay even more taxes. Investing in the disadvantaged--of all sorts and of all backgrounds and colors--is always good fiscal policy for the states, and the nation as well. We are not giving away anything when we help such persons improve their skills. We are investing, and we get a very, very good return upon such investment, in terms of both revenues and services that they do provide and will provide.

Landrum Kelly, Salisbury, NC

PAMACDON AND DAVIDMO,

It's hard to take your positions seriously when you just make stuff up to suit your indignation.

DavidMo, a Community College is NOT a University. Say that out loud to yourself, and at least you'll be saying something that's has a factual basis. I challenge you to show me ONE University that as a policy accepts Illegal Aliens. You won't find one because they don't exist. You have to have a student visa to enroll as a foreign student, and you can't get that here. You have to do it at the US Embassy nearest your country of origin.

Pamacdon,your statement is just as irresponsible and ignorant. Community Colleges DO NOT DISPLACE ANY STUDENTS, PERIOD. That's because they serve a different institutional purpose than four-year colleges and universities. No resident of the county where the community college is based can be turned away or denied admission, unless they pose a verifiable threat to the community.

You're right about one thing though, Pamacdon. We should be concentrating more on our citizens, and that's why I've singled you two out. To be good citizens, at least take the time to inform yourselves about an issue before throwing out your opinion-- otherwise, you're not a responsible citizen but just part of an lathered up angry mob.

The State Board of Community Colleges approved a new admissions policy that would allow illegal immigrants to attend North Carolina community colleges. The board voted 16 to 1 in favor of the new policy.

To be admitted illegal immigrants must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be a graduate of a U.S. high school
2. Must pay out-of-state tuition, totaling $4,400 per academic year.
3. May not displace a North Carolina or U.S. resident from a class or program

the above was from

http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/News_Releases/September%2009%20State%20Board%20of%20Community%20Colleges%20Press%20Release.pdf

We are talking about people who don't belong here. If they left and went through the same process as those who played by the rules, I'd welcome them with open arms. Until then, I don't want them to pull their weight. . .I don't want them to pay taxes. . . I don't want them to pay out of state tuition. I don't want them to do anything but get the hell out! GET OUT!

rcosgrov, actually, the CSU and UC accept undocumented migrants, which are called AB-540, which I fully support, not just because it is sound as a long term investment, but as a matter of fundamental civic justice. Most of the people branded by the de-humanizing label of "illegal immigrants" and that now are applying for college were children when they came to the U.S. They did not commit such "crime" willingly and, therefore, deporting them back to their "home" countries (where they basically don't know anyone and sometimes don't even speak the language) is cruel and unusual punishment. Also, people are going to look for a living, no matter what: better that they do as qualified professional and technicians than in the "underground" economy.

I'm tired of people like livefreeordie, PAMACDON AND DAVIDMO, that show a lot of principled indignation and do not understand the basic fact that many undocumented migrants are here as a result of economic conditions imposed by the United States and other developed nations, not just lack of opportunities, authoritarianism and corruption at home. Central American states are completely dysfunctional as a result of the US's cruel and irresponsible politics towards the area. From FDR to Ronald Reagan we've imposed *thugs* in their governments (Somoza family, Ríos Montt), promoted civil war and coups d'état, etc. People displaced by such situations are likely to travel to the nearest areas where they perceive an improvement of their lot.

Let's go to Mexico: while I grant that the corrupt Mexican federal and state governments have no incentive to stop the drain of human population towards the north, it has to be brought into consideration that NAFTA, unlike the European Union, did not include with itself funds for structural adjustment of economies likely to be affected by free trade. If cheap, *subsidized* (that goes for you pseudofreedom lovers) American agricultural products choke traditional unsubsidized agriculture in Southern Mexico and there is not an established industry or service economy to absorb them, people displaced by such situations are likely to travel to the nearest areas where they perceive the possibility to improve their lot.

Let's go to South America: IMF and the World Bank lent indiscriminately to corrupt authoritarian governments. Later, in the course of fiscal crises, Chicago and Austrian school types took advantage of it to impose "fiscal restraint" measures such as drastically limiting public education, public health, and other social society measures in a way that would've caused a revolution in the U.S. That is, they used South America as guinea pigs for measures that they could not impose in liberal democratic societies. When quality of life, human capital and equal opportunity drastically declined as a result, guess what, all educated people who could afford a plane ticket left for the U.S. or the European Union. Because, guess what: people displaced by such situations are likely to travel to the nearest areas where they perceive the possibility to improve their lot.

We could also talk about the catastrophic environmental situations imposed by U.S., Japanese, and European countries. Ecuador, Perú and Northern Mexico should be textbook cases.

"If they left and went through the same process as those who played by the rules, I'd welcome them with open arms. Until then, I don't want them to pull their weight. . .I don't want them to pay taxes. . . I don't want them to pay out of state tuition. I don't want them to do anything but get the hell out! GET OUT!"

If they went by the "same process" as most of out forebears did, they would simply kill the native inhabitants (now claimed to be the existing U.S. citizens) and take over the land.

What is it to be an "illegal" person anyway? The concept eludes me.

Landrum Kelly

Way to go, NC. Better to have an educated population than an uneducated AND illegal population. What should also be included is guidance from USCIS on how to move these students to legal status upon graduation. They're not going anywhere so why not facilitate this? They can't be held responsible for what their parents did. Doesn't mean their parents should become citizens though. As for taxes, if they've gone to high school here and if the parents own a home or pay rent, they're paying property taxes one way or other; and they probably pay sales and gas taxes, etc. The lack of financial aid is a big enough burden, and charging out of state tuition will reduce the number of such students able to attend anyway. Let those who can be educated, get educated.

Dear amador--bravo for your spot on analysis. I couldn't agree more!

Just one more thing. Those that do not like undocumented persons should feel relieved about NC: adult retroimmigration (i.e. returning to the place of origin) is highly correlated with higher education. I understand there are thorough studies focusing on Caribbean population in NY city colleges and Eastern Europeans in northeastern colleges that show that. If this were true, that would also be sound long term investment because these are the future trade partners of American business and the people most supportive of US policy (the few conservatives left that still think for themselves ought to be happy about this, too).

Re: the comment: If they went by the "same process" as most of out forebears did, they would simply kill the native inhabitants (now claimed to be the existing U.S. citizens) and take over the land.

Kind of like Spain did when they killed the natives of Mexico to take over the land in that country? The United States doesn't have a corner on the market when it comes to land grabs and killing indigeneous people.

I wish we had the resources to help everyone who needed assistance but unfortunately, we don't. Now is the time to cut off all forms of assistance to anyone who entered (or enters) this country illegally. A change is also needed to prevent children of illegal immigrants from becoming automatic citizens of the United States.

The idea that illegal aliens should get a price break for living in North Carolina ILLEGALLY is ludicrous at best.

What part of "illegal" in illegal immigrant don't people get?

We have people who are endlessly frustrated by ICE who play by the rules. Give THEM a hand, and ship the illegals back to where they belong.

It makes no sense to educate illegal immigrants when they can't legally get a job, and the community college system's costs are borne in large part by the taxpayers of North Carolina.

rocosgrov: illegal students can and do displace native students. In spite of the open admissions process of community colleges (and I teach in a NC CC), there are only so many seats for each course, which means there are practical limits on the number of students who can enroll.

We can talk all day about the greater geopolitical forces that drive illegal immigration, but you can't get away from this simple fact: people who sneak into the US are committing a CRIME. That should not be rewarded with amnesty for the immigrant or their kids, a free education, a reduced price education or free health care. I feel sorry for the kids but if there is to be a true resolution to the problem of illegal immigration, then there must be meaningful immigration reform first.

"What part of "illegal" in illegal immigrant don't people get?"

I'll tell you what: I just don't recognize what they do as "illegal". Survival is not illegal, following your parents is not illegal. Supporting dictatorships abroad, imposing economic measures on weaker governments that wouldn't be accepted on your own home, contaminating other people's environments. That's illegal.

It's the sanctimonious pseudolegalist doofuses who speak like panacea who don't understand that holocausts begin by declaring people "illegal". The nickname, unsurprisingly, means "total cure". Quite chilling in this context.

Use some common sense. I don't see how we can save the world right now when we can't even save our own country. I'm really tired of hear of grandiloquent phrases like: It's the sanctimonious pseudolegalist doofuses who speak like panacea who don't understand that holocausts begin by declaring people "illegal". The nickname, unsurprisingly, means "total cure".

The United States is rapidly going down the tubes for a number of reasons. The top priorities should be to stop out of control government spending and waste, and increase education for our citizens and those who are here LEGALLY.

So, my question for those of you who are howling about this, how much money are you willing to spend to make sure that colleges don't accidentally enroll someone who didn't follow the proper process for entering the country? Should every college in the country have an office of Immigration Enforcement?
Additionally, what is your policy goal? Is it to make sure that jobs are preserved, because the insistence on an overly strong dollar not only contributes to illegal immigration but has a far greater impact on exports and manufacturing jobs than illegal immigration. It would also be less expensive to change that policy than to enforce immigration policy at the college door.
If you want to talk about "the principles of sovereignty", then I can give you a little on that, however since it's really only been since WWII that the US even concerned itself with border crossing that argument is pretty flat as well.
This dearth of valid arguments is why those in the "immigration enforcement" camp are often accused of xenophobia. I suggest you articulate a policy goa, find an argument for why this is the best means of accomplishing it, and defend it before shouting slogans from Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Lou Dobbs at us.

I love the fact that whenever a person has an opinion that differs from the liberals, he or she is immediately accused of shouting slogans from Glenn Beck and the like. This is a forum for opinions. I've already stated mine and I respect yours, though I do not agree.

And I love the fact that whenever people like econdev are asked to articulate what are exactly proposed policy measures you just cower and whine and go into victimhood mode. I live in a world where respect is earned, not given. Therefore, I do not respect your opinion for your lack of ideas, knowledge, not to speak of the victimism, capitalization, and awful grammar. These are some of the things that made Palin the laughingstock of educated people in this country.

As one scientist said "everybody is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts". Your dismal understanding of facts does not make your opinion respectable.