Now that the uproar about illegal immigrants and New York State driver's licenses has quieted a bit, along comes the North Carolina Community College System to take its share of abuse.

A memo this month from the system's lawyer told the state's 58 community colleges that illegal immigrants, if otherwise qualified, should be allowed to enroll. When news of the memo got out this week, Senate Republican leader Phil Berger promptly declared that the policy shift "will reward illegal activity" by "individuals who have broken the law."

Yes, these are big-time lawbreakers indeed. The prospective students are, by and large, young adults who, having been brought (illegally) across the U.S. border as children, attended high schools (that's legal) and now wish to further their educations at the community college level. Many, no doubt, have their eyes on getting a decent job in this country -- also illegal, without proper documentation.

Surely these are people deserving of politicians' most scornful press releases.

And besides, What Part of "Illegal" Don't You Understand?

Scratch beneath the surface a bit, however, and you'll find (as with the driver's license situation) that there are two sides to the question.

Under federal law, illegal-immigrant children can attend public schools. Later on, if they meet admissions standards, they can attend universities. In North Carolina, but not some other states, such students must pay out-of-state tuition.

Up to now, a minority of North Carolina community colleges have admitted illegal immigrants to credit-course programs. All community colleges, apparently, have allowed their participation in continuing education or basic skills offerings. And some community college courses are offered in combination with high school programs, making certain high school students eligible for community college work.

The new policy is grounded in a 1997 legal opinion from the office of then-Attorney General Mike Easley. That opinion held that community colleges cannot impose non-academic criteria for admission.

The result is that illegal immigrants will be free to apply throughout the community college system -- if they're able to pay out-of-state tuition. For a full class load, the bill is about $7,500. That's six times the in-state rate, and it reportedly exceeds by more than $2,000 the actual cost of providing the education.

Only the most motivated illegal immigrants would likely embark on such a project. And in fact the community college system reports that there were just 340 such applicants last year, out of a total of 270,000.

Think of it -- 340 young people who, having grown up in difficult circumstances -- care to trade places? -- now wish to attend community colleges to improve themselves. Who want to learn new skills, improve their English, find out more about America and the world. Who quite likely were brought here as children, through no agency of their own, and who went through school and now want to become educated adults. Who could, depending on which path federal immigration policy ultimately takes, become legal residents of this nation of immigrants.

Bar the community college door?

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