Board told to let illegals study

RALEIGH -- A public hearing Friday on North Carolina community colleges' decision to admit illegal immigrants turned into a rally for immigrant rights.

A crowd of Latino students - along with educators, activists and civic and religious leaders - filled the auditorium at the State Library, many waving signs and wearing stickers supporting access to higher education for illegal immigrants. More than 50 gave speeches, invoking the Bible, the Declaration of Independence and the language of the civil rights movement.

Only six people spoke against the State Board of Community Colleges' September decision to admit illegal immigrants at all 58 campuses - a stark reversal in a debate that has often been dominated by opponents of illegal immigration.

"Everyone has a right to an education," said Gloria Garcia of Fuquay-Varina, a Wake Tech student. "It does not matter what race you are or whether you are documented or not. All of us should be treated equally."

Opponents argued that allowing illegal immigrants into community colleges amounted to a reward for breaking the law. They said illegal immigrants would compete with U.S. citizens in a time of high unemployment.

"Allowing illegal aliens to enroll in our colleges when we have 10 percent unemployment really speaks of incompetence," said Ron Woodard of Cary, head of the immigration enforcement advocacy group N.C. Listen.

The hearing was a legal requirement as the community college board moves toward adopting a permanent rule. System officials said board members will get a full transcript of the 2-1/2 hour hearing and will consider the comments before finalizing the rule next year.

They said the board has the power to tweak or reverse the rule, which was agreed to this fall after nearly two years of study and intense controversy. It's expected to take effect next school year, lifting a ban that has kept undocumented students out of degree programs since May 2008.

The rule admits illegal immigrants under strict requirements. They must pay out-of-state tuition, about $7,700 a year. They also will get last priority for classes.

Many speakers Friday said the board did not go far enough. They said immigrant students, many of whom were brought to this country as children and grew up in North Carolina, should be treated as in-state residents.

For legal residents, community colleges grant in-state tuition after they have lived in North Carolina for one year.

"How ridiculous to say people who have been here for many years should pay out-of-state tuition," said James Leutze, who was chancellor of UNC Wilmington until 2001.

William Gheen, head of the Raleigh group Americans for Legal Immigration, which argues for strict immigration enforcement, said the majority was not represented at the hearing. He said most who oppose the decision could not come on a workday.

"This entire meeting is a sham," Gheen said. "It is not a convenient time for the hard workers and the taxpayers of North Carolina."

Immigrant advocates said they mobilized their supporters to come en masse and arrive early to sign up for speaking slots.

"We're tired of a small group dominating," said Melinda Wiggins, a farmworker advocate. "The majority of people really do support access to education for all people."

Many comments were greeted with applause and, in the case of state NAACP President William Barber, a standing ovation. Barber compared the plight of immigrant students to the biblical story of Joseph and Mary, who were refused a room at the inn while awaiting the birth of Jesus.

"Instead of saying no room for Hispanic children," Barber intoned, "we would be saying no limits."

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