No need to backtrack

The State Board of Community Colleges made a common-sense, if politically risky, decision in voting to admit illegal immigrants to its 58 campuses. The move might even be characterized as bold. It remains in limbo, however, during a 60-day public comment period, and isn't slated to take effect until next fall.

But now there are justifiable concerns among some advocates for the change: first, the out-of-state tuition rate of $7,700 a year (part of the requirement for these undocumented students) will be prohibitive for many if not most such students. Second, some state legislators have made an issue of this step, saying illegal immigrants should not have access to these colleges, and there is a possibility that lawmakers will reverse the board decision. Unfortunately, both Gov. Beverly Perdue and Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, no doubt mindful of the political unpopularity in some corners of the board's stance, have been on record against it.

Now that the state board has jumped the hurdle of allowing the students to enroll, with the understanding that any illegal immigrants can gain admission only after legal residents are admitted, it would be a sad retreat indeed. Only South Carolina among other states does not allow undocumented students to enroll in community colleges. And North Carolina's public university system allows them if they attended high school in the United States.

Republican leaders in the General Assembly have signaled they'll seek to undo what the state board has done. That's nothing but pandering to a cynical view that the children of illegal immigrants, children who typically are in this country through no decision of their own and thanks to a disgracefully inept immigration policy from the federal government, should be denied the opportunity to improve their lives, at no cost to taxpayers.

Let us hope calmer, more humane and more sensible voices prevail if this matter does come to the legislature.