Illegal immigrants will be allowed back into the state's community colleges.
All but one member of the the State Board of Community Colleges voted to allow them in at out-of-state tuition rates, Kristin Collins reports.
Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, a Democrat, was the only board member to vote no on the matter.
Other board members said the policy puts them in line with the UNC system policy.
"The whole economic prosperity of the United States depends on the education of the next generation," said State Treasurer Janet Cowell.
A committee of the State Board of Community Colleges recommended Thursday that undocumented students be admitted to degree programs, but they would have to pay out-of-state tuition, be denied financial aid, and be enrolled in classes only after legal students are given slots.
The full board vote today caps nearly two years of controversy over whether to allow illegal immigrants to enroll in degree programs at the state's 58 community college campuses.
Comments
Re: Board to admit illegal immigrants
September 20, 2009 - 9:36am — captainjackThe Democrats are looking to the long term.
Once illegal immigrants are granted immunity, they will register as Democrats. The Democrats will say, "We took care of you when those right wingers called you 'illegals.' We were the ones who got you into college."
It's a smart move on the part of the Democrats. They are building a voting block which will dominate both state and national politics within a few decades. The 'once illegal' vote will become the most important voting block our nation has ever seen.
The Democrats are smart. That's why they stay in power.
Re: Board to admit illegal immigrants
September 20, 2009 - 8:45am — glomanOur governor does not seem to care for North Carolina as does her Lt. Gov who voted to keep illegals out of the community college system. She could have been more forceful is telling the board her feelings. To please - Janet Cowell, get the Feds to do their job and send the illegals back from whence they come and we won't have an uneducated public. North Carolina was once listed as the easiest state for illegals to get driver licenses, now we will be number 1 in educating them. Why don't we add the word Illegals to the bottom of the Welcome to North Carolina signs at our states borders. Here's hoping the General Assembly will do the Governors wishes when they bring up the matter in session. This noise about paying out of state tuition is blowing smoke. We all know they pool their resources to attain a goal. Thats like building a wall to keep ants out - a waste. Whats needed is protection for residents of North Carolina now and in the future.
Re: Board to admit illegal immigrants
September 18, 2009 - 1:53pm — Notsurewhere_NCTime for a new board, governor and GA
US Citizens dumped on again.
Could somebody get Joe Wilson up here?
September 18, 2009 - 10:23am — PoliticalJunkieWe need him to bottom line it for Perdue: "You lie!"
This is a start.