Let them in, Rev. William Barber II, head of the state NAACP, said Monday at a news conference in support of giving illegal immigrants access to higher education.
Barber, along with representatives from the Hispanic business Adelante, likened the plight of immigrants to that of Mary and Joseph, who were turned away from an inn on Christmas Eve.
Barber cited examples throughout history of poor treatment of immigrants and praised Martin Lancaster, the outgoing president of the state's community college system and Gov. Mike Easley for supporting a policy that allows illegal immigrants to attend college.
The issue has been a lightning rod in politics, with each of the major candidates for governor speaking out against a policy of forcing community colleges to admit illegal immigrants.
"We must open the inn," Barber said. "Instead of tearing people apart, we must bring people together and open up the inn."