Gov. Mike Easley is calling on the state's community colleges to continue admitting illegal immigrants.
Easley issued a statement today in the wake of advice from the state Attorney General's Office, which recommended against allowing illegal immigrants to attend community colleges.
The advisory letter from the Roy Cooper's office appeared to relate to public universities, as well, thought it did not specifically address them.
Federal law on the issue is not settled, Easley noted in the statement. He said he was asking Cooper to seek clarification from federal officials on whether illegal immigrants are eligible to attend community colleges.
"The legislature specifically provided the Community College board the authority to establish admission criteria," Easley said. "In the absence of federal action to the contrary, the Community College board should continue its current policy, which is consistent with other states."
He pointed out that the attorney general's advisory letter acknowledged that the federal government has not specifically prohibited admission of illegal immigrants to community colleges.
Comments
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 12, 2008 - 6:46pm — Isaac136Do you think these people aren't human? You really think they come over here and "USE" children? Are you nuts or are you really that BLIND to the fact that these are human beings we're talking about? They have children just like we have children. And even if you are so completely disassociated from reality that you think these people are "using" their children, WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE CHILD? You think that justifies your punishing the child?
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 12, 2008 - 1:35pm — j1c2kpThe parents are using children.....
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 12, 2008 - 12:51pm — Isaac136You want to use the child to punish the parent. Bad idea.
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 12, 2008 - 12:34pm — j1c2kpThe following was posted in the Wilmington Star News. I deleted writers name.
Rewarding Law-breaking
Published: Monday, May 12, 2008 at 9:04 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, May 12, 2008 at 9:04 a.m.
Admitting illegal immigrants to community colleges, as the Star-News urges ("Illegal Immigration's Other Victims," May 8), would ratchet up pressure to take the next logical step: putting these students on a path to citizenship. On reaching age 21, they could then petition for legal status for their illegal alien parents.
Legalization of students not only would ultimately reward the parents for their illegal behavior, but also would put into motion chain migration of extended family — thanks to the "family reunification" provisions of the 1965 Immigration Act.
Many educated foreigners are waiting patiently for permission to migrate to the United States. Who deserves our favor — those who respect American law or those who have demonstrated contempt for it?
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 12, 2008 - 10:57am — Isaac136A child is not an illegal activity. A child is a human being with potential that we can either encourage or discourage. Whatever can or will be done about the immigrants who cross into the country illegally, the children can't be ignored. We can either educate them and see them become useful citizens or we can deny them education and see them join the ranks of discontented, uneducated adults with little prospect for improvement and lots of time on their hands.
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 12, 2008 - 9:34am — j1c2kpDan I understand your position but Dan and Issac where do you draw the line on illegal activity? The workers that are coming here illegally should not be bringing the family. They know what they are doing is illegal but having babies and bringing children across the border gives them hope that they can gain sympathy in cases like this that we can't hold it against the children. I don't hold it against the children but those parents know exactly what they are doing. So do we ever enforce illegal immigration, are they allowed to continue coming in illegally and bringing children and having more children so that they can get a US education? They should be working to improve conditions in their country, giving the boot to their politicians for allowing such miserable conditions there.
Where do you draw the line?
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 12, 2008 - 8:44am — Isaac136Bless you, Dan Besse. You are absolutely correct. I'm not a big fan of Governor Easley, and I realize that he is only able to say what he did because he isn't running again, but it was the right thing to say and we need to hear more of our leaders step up to the plate and say it.
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 12, 2008 - 7:04am — FFC1304there is now talk of a NC citizens class action lawsuit against the current NC leaders for NOT enforcing immigration laws...now THIS could be MAJOR! Lets DO IT!!
Contact www.alipac.us with your suggestions and participation!
Americans for LEGAL Immigration located in the epicenter of NC ILLEGALs in Rawleigh.
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 8, 2008 - 5:13pm — CarltonHThere is plenty of moral reason to deny ILLEGAL alien kids access to our schools because their very presence in this nation is ILLEGAL and the only place they belong is back in Mexico, Honduras, or Guatemala where they came from.
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 8, 2008 - 4:17pm — danbesseWhen a child has been brought to North Carolina by his or her parents, grows up here and graduates from our public schools, there is neither justice nor compassion in denying him or her the opportunity to continue education and contribute fully to our society as an adult. Our national immigration system is broken and must be repaired nationally--in the meantime let's show some common sense in not making a difficult situation worse here in our state.
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 8, 2008 - 3:52pm — j1c2kpOHMYGOSH! NC's chief executive office advocating illegal activity. I am beginning to think guv Easley needs to go ahead and retire early.
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 8, 2008 - 3:40pm — WildgooseOur good Governor ruined the Mental Health system with inept decisions and now he's hell bent on doing the same to higher education. Oh, what the heck lets make every level K-16 a disaster then raise taxes and moan about it. Maybe it will help in athletic recruiting down stream from UNC.
Re: Easley: Admit illegal immigrants
May 8, 2008 - 3:22pm — FFC1304Is there a good reason WHY he wont call for ALL ILLEGALs in NC to be deported immediately? They are breaking the LAW for being in NC or the USA. WHO is employing them? GO AFTER THEM FIRST!