RALEIGH — Officials at the N.C. Community College System said this morning that they want to open their doors to illegal immigrants but feel their hands are tied.

"We have no choice but to follow the advice of the [state] Attorney General's Office," said State Board of Community Colleges member Joanne Steiner after a meeting this morning. "In this case, that's not where our hearts are ... I feel very sad about it."

The system this week barred illegal immigrants from seeking degrees at all 58 of its campuses. College officials based the decision on a May 6 advisory letter from Attorney General Roy Cooper's office. That letter said that federal law appears to prohibit illegal immigrants from getting post-secondary education at state colleges and universities.

Several board members, along with President Scott Ralls, said they are waiting for the Attorney General's Office to provide more clarity on what federal law allows.

Ralls said today he is open to admitting illegal immigrants again if the Attorney General's office changes its advice.

"I believe that broadly available education has more social benefit than social cost," Ralls said.

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