Members of the State Board of Community Colleges said Thursday that illegal immigrants should be admitted until the board can complete a study and develop a permanent policy for the state's 58 campuses. The study, to be done by an outside consultant, is expected to be authorized by the full board today. It is the colleges' attempt to navigate a charged political atmosphere.

Several state politicians have already promised to try to pass laws this year that would deny admission to illegal immigrants, effectively nullifying any decision the board makes. Both candidates for governor have come out against college education for illegal immigrants. And this week, U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick, a Charlotte Republican, said she plans to introduce a bill in September that would withhold federal funding from colleges and universities that knowingly admit illegal immigrants.

During a committee meeting Thursday, some board members said they had gotten heated messages from constituents on both sides of the issue.

In that environment, they said, there is no sense in making a hasty decision. Some said a well-researched policy could dissuade lawmakers from getting involved.

"This study will be critical to our working out a reasoned policy on this hot potato issue," said Dr. Stuart Fountain, a board member from Asheboro, who proposed the study. He said he is confident that the full board will approve it.

Fountain said the study will provide information about what other states have done and about the practicality of verifying students' immigration status.

It would take several months, and, in the meantime, the colleges' current policy requires them to admit students who meet academic qualifications.

Fountain said that temporarily allowing illegal immigrants "is the legal position that we have to take."

Illegal immigrants have been banned from community college degree programs since May, when the state Attorney General's Office advised that their admission might violate federal law. But a recent letter from federal immigration officials said it is up to each state to decide whether illegal immigrants can attend colleges.

Community College System President Scott Ralls said that if the board approves Fountain's suggestion today, he will tell the colleges to admit students regardless of immigration status.

Perdue wants a ban

In discussion Thursday, most board members were closed-mouthed about their opinions. Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, a candidate for governor, was the only member who advocated for a permanent ban on illegal immigrants.

"I'm against allowing illegal immigrants who can never work legally in North Carolina to attend community colleges in North Carolina," Perdue said.

She encouraged a temporary ban while they studied the issue.

Other members emphasized the importance of the colleges' longstanding open-door policy. Only one, a nonvoting student member, took a strong stand in favor of allowing illegal immigrants.

"If they have the desire to learn, then they need to get that opportunity," said Jeana ElSadder, a student at Rockingham Community College. "To punish them because of something that their parents did, to me that's not right."

Joanne Steiner, a board member from Wake Forest, agreed that illegal immigrant students are "victims of circumstance" who came to the United States as young children. But she also emphasized the importance of following the law and said the board needs more information before writing a permanent policy.

Board has options

Ralls said the board has options if it decides to admit illegal immigrants permanently.

"It is possible to craft policies to support our open-door philosophy while also addressing many of the concerns expressed by North Carolinians," Ralls said.

Ralls said the board could adopt a policy similar to that of the UNC system, which admits only illegal immigrant students who attended U.S. high schools.

He said the out-of-state tuition that illegal immigrants pay is $2,000 more than the cost of instruction, but he said that if board members are concerned about costs not covered by tuition, they could impose additional fees.

He also said they could give priority to in-state students when classes have waiting lists.

Ralls said that even with the unrestricted practice in place before May, only 112 of more than 300,000 students were illegal immigrants in 2006-2007 year.

Immigrant advocates said the board's action was only another skirmish in a long battle.

"Until there's some kind of legislation saying they can go, it's going to be a continuing saga," said Tony Asion, director of the Hispanic advocacy group El Pueblo. "And it's going to be at the expense of students who want to better themselves."

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