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Durham County Story



Community College Committee Votes To Allow Undocumented Immigrants

Credit: AP Online

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RALEIGH, N.C. -

The Community College policy committee unanimously approved a measure to admit illegal immigrants to two-year institutions.

The measure still needs to be approved by the full board on Friday morning. 

50 people protested the new admission policy that reverses a current ban on admitting undocumented immigrants as students.

The committee's ruling would admit illegal immigrants if they graduate from a U.S. high school.

Immigrant students would have to pay out-of-state rates at $7,700 a per semester for a full course load. They are not eligible for state or federal financial aid.

"We have a balanced and fair policy that provides an opportunity for an education for people who are very determined to get it," said Policy Committee Chairman Dr. Stuart Fountain. 

Protestors expected the move and organizer William Gheen, President of Americans for Legal Immigration PAC, said "Illegal aliens should not be allowed into any taxpayer funded resource short of emergency medical care.  If we give people that break the law what they want, that community college access it's going to bring more illegal immingrants into our state."

In-state students at Wake Technical Community College pay $1,600 dollars per semester.

On campus, everyone seemed to have an opinion.

"Everybody should be treated equally and get the same education," said Desirae Mathis, an associate's degree candidate.

Future accountant A.J. Jacob disagreed, "I think you need to be an American citizen for you to attend any type of community college."

 The country's third-largest community college system has changed its illegal immigrant admission policy four times since 2000. 

It became a hot button issue during the gubernatorial campaign last year.

NBC17 News recently asked Gov. Bev Perdue about this potential change to allow undocumented immigrants into the two-year public institutions.

"I believe and again I respect the board, but I believe my opinion during the campaign was right.  It's hard for my to understand how the state of North Carolina can educate people when they can't work legally in the state after they are educated," Perdue said.

Again the full board will vote Friday morning on the admission policy. 

Check out our broadcast story from NBC 17 News at 6 and 7 p.m. in the video monitor above.

Comments

  • By Gin on 10/05 05:22 PM

    OH! Randy Dye. First off, not all Immigrants are mexican. Have you ever even been outside of NC? The world is not only White, Black and Mexican. Just because your neighbor or co-worker is blue-eyed does not mean he or she is not an immigrant. Its those that look diffrent or stand out that you are against. Do you have a family? If you do, would you not do anything for them? If you were in the same shoes or even took the time to know a person's situation instead of assuming that you are right and that everyone who is tan or speaks another language is wrong illegal or out to get you, you would probably have a change of heart and your world would be a nicer place. If you are going to judge anyone start by taking a look at yourself. Then judge people as individuals if you must judge. Did you take advantage of getting an education? I feel sorry for people like you. WOW. I will have you in my prayers. May God forgive and Bless you.

  • By Randy Dye on 10/01 11:46 PM

    You should consult your parents about that, not us. They are the one who put you in this postion, not the US. You should return to your home wiht family back to Mexico, and go to college. You have already got a free education here in the US. How do your parents pay taxes in they are illgal, they do not have a SS card. And yall still have family in Mexico I'm sure. And how do you explain to immigrants who did it leagally, even with their family. This is your family problem, not the United sates. Mexico has colleges also. We are a nation of laws. No one is dooming you to returning to your own country. Yes you deserve a chance, in your own country.

  • By Martha Sainz on 10/01 11:37 PM

    I would love to inform all of you to look at another prospective. I am seventeen years old, a very intelligent young lady. I was born in Mexico and was brought here at the young age of 8. I had no choice to come here, just because my parents were looking for a more successful, fulfilling life. Here I am, illegal. My parents pay taxes, we contribute to society, we could unleash our potential as humans if we were legal. You see, i agree, a great deal of us do not pay taxes, however, there is some out there like myself that do. We deserve a chance. I would like to further my education and contribute to your society to my fullest ability. Illegal alien cases are extremely variable. I believe I deserve a chance. What should be done is a cleansing. You don't pay taxes, you don't go to college. You committed a felony, no college. This topic needs further looking into. Yes, my parents did not come here the right way, asking to be a citizen, but that was not my decision. We should be helped, we are just children, with minds that can be molded to do anything. I believe I deserve a chance.

  • By Brittanicus on 09/29 09:14 PM

    Our government panders to the 20 to 30 plus (?) illegal immigrants allowing them free subsidies from taxpayers in the US. California--a Sanctuary State has one of the worst records that currently languish under the immense burden of near bankruptcy, instead of --ATTRACTING--ICE to illegal business operations. Certain legislators in Sacramento, led by Gilbert Cedillo-D has authored a lame brain resolution condemning any interference in immigration enforcement. Congressman Brian Bilbray-R Calif. reminds Sen. Cedillo that this resolution breaks the laws of the Constitution. “He should look up the separation of powers section and this resolution is nothing more than political posturing.” Cedillo urges President Obama to declare an immediate moratorium on immigration policies and practices until a comprehensive reform of immigration is enacted. The resolution states " The State of California values all of its residents, whether they be citizens, legal residents, or undocumented immigrants, and strives to enable all residents to work and live free from discrimination, exploitation, and repressive federal immigration enforcement.” This man certainly has no love for the legal American worker and should be immediately discarded from office as his words are a form of treachery to the jobless people hurting. Why wouldn't certain legislators want health care for foreign labor, because they have an over abundance of illegal immigrant families to financially support? Our own government is so absorbed in protecting every other countries border? They remain unconcerned to our poor replica border fence that should have been a two-tier periphery, with border patrol surveillance lanes in between, as originally planned by Rep. Duncan Hunter. Every time a good enforcement plan is written, it’s methodically cut to pieces by pro-illegal worker politicians and open border fanatics. Though we spend billions on our armed forces in foreign lands, the rich countries in Europe just forward token troops and little money: while our nation is literary falling apart at the seams--or its rivets? Any moment now I expect to hear of yet another collapsing ailing city bridge, deteriorating waterworks, the underground pipes and eroding highway. Our cities are already exhibiting inward decay, but years of neglect by the very people who’s supposed to protect us do nothing? I have reiterated watch "The Crumbling of America" on the History (International) channel in the next few weeks and learn? This is where your tax dollars should be going? We must not allow the Administration as in previous times keep sending our precious tax dollars to other countries. These politicians are deaf, dumb and intentionally blind to the rigors our industrial nation is going through. Not just Democrats, but the Republicans have had their sticky fingers in the bad apple--SPECIAL INTEREST--barrel, where money is plentiful. It's like they are intentionally trying to turn our magnificent country into a third world nation, while making other cheap labor countries, on an even par with our sovereign society as US wages tumble? Then Again the Council of Foreign Relations have been amplifying its agenda of free movement of cheap labor through North America for years? Most of these other lands have been at each others throats for centuries, so why do we expect any metamorphism into something any different? Only change can come from within, not by our nation expending billions of dollars, American lives? We must build our own borders fences, tall and strong and meant to keep out drug dealers, criminal aliens, terrorists and the never ending tracks of illegal aliens. Our politician’s noses are involved in too much foreign policy, while our aging infrastructure implodes. Trillions of dollars are spirited out the country, while we gain little in return. Washington--MUST--start giving back to the jobless American worker by placing a 5 year moratorium on all immigration, even legal? The next politicians should deliver us from any new sinister path to citizenship or better referred to as BLANKET AMNESTY? Follow the "Rule of Law" and not twist it into something else for their own convenience, as it will come back to haunt them at the voting booth. Unless ACORN steps-in with another fed contract and handles sign-ups for the ballot box? In that case will still see absentee ballots for the deceased people, pets and anybody who has learned that you need no government picture ID to sign on to vote. The 1986 immigration reform bill dismally failed last time and all we inherited was 5 million illegal immigrants that still keep on coming with their impoverished hands out. Anti-Illegal immigrant forces are growing in numbers to stop another travesty. They acknowledge it could end up costing billions, perhaps even trillions of dollars. Nationwide we have seen the advent of closing hospitals and emergency rooms that have been submerged everyday by swarms by penniless foreigners and their families. Yes! We need health care reform. Americans are dying, going bankrupt , falling under the spell of debt collectors. The special interest lobbyists are causing mass hysteria by lying to the people. Many insurance companies are under this bombardment in television, radio and mass media. Their Status quo wants no change to their profits or high flying CEO's making millions of dollars. on patients backs? I want health care reform, for the sake of my step daughter who died of Cancer, because the insurers said it was a pre-existing condition and they couldn't continue to insure her? It has become an enigma--THAT THE EMPLOYERS WHO HIRE THEM-LEAVE THE MAJORITY OF SICK PEOPLE ON THE STEPS OF EMERGENCY ROOMS. SO THAT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY ENDS THERE? THEY DRIVE AWAY WITH A CLEAR CONSCIOUS? THEN IS LEFT FOR THE TAXPAYERS CHECK BOOK TO PAY THE BILL? THOSE EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE HUNTED DOWN AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY CENT. We have already been warned by the census bureau of overpopulation in the not too distant future. WE now have a very unique deterrent called E-Verify, that is a part of the SAVE ACT and our lawmakers should stop procrastinating and make it permanent for every worker? Washington knows their walking on quicksand, if the try to under fund or spirit away E-Verify this time around? The corrupting influences from the special interest lobby, have failed to induce many lawmakers to table E-Verify. In our future it could have many other uses other than extracting unauthorized labor from the workplace. Once fully installed it could check state drivers license applicants, insurance, school and higher education registrations and hospital admittances. Americans have been unknowingly paying taxes to underwrite subsidies for the illegal population for decades. This is the biggest draw to American jobs, because the employers who hire them are sentient that taxpayers will foot the bills for education, health food stamps, housing and other government benefit consignments that even as citizens are denied. Keep the phone calls coming at 202-224-3121 LOOK FOR ANSWERS AT NUMBERSUSA, JUDICIAL WATCH & OVERPOPULATION AT CAPSWEB? These websites can identity politicians who actually work for the American people and others whose immigration grading level is unsatisfactory to stay in office? Have you heard about any large ICE raids lately? ICE got the order to cease and desist from the motley Democratic leadership. They are also using their influence to either weaken the federal training program 287 G that gives local police federal right to hold for questioning suspicious individual’s immigration status and to rescind the no-match-letter capability in determining a person’s right to work?

  • By Dinamay TC on 09/25 09:12 AM

    Don't even get me going on this.I live one mile from the largist flee market and stolen good market in NC.?It is located in Orange Co.SURPRISE!What is intresting its OK with most people because it's not in there back yard.Every Sat,/Sun. Stolen goods are sold and make shift rest./food are sold out of the back of cars on west ten rd. and Buckhorn.This isn't anything new and it has been going on for over ten years or more.THIS IS MY POINT! At one time I brought my relivitive to DSS and also to college to apply for community college.This was five years ago.YES FIVE YEARS AGO.As we sat there there where several illegals applying for college and DSS.In the end they got the services and she did not.I could write a book on this ,so I just need to end this.Recently I was at Walmart in North Orange Co.(it's located here because chapel hill didn't want it in there back yard)but I see everyone from chapel hill there.But the point,I am in line a illigel cuts in front of me,I say I think am next,he turns around and starts fighting with me.I just say go a head,I blame the cashier,because she knew I was next.When I addressed it with walmart they tried to buy me.I see how a US citizen is treeted in Orange CO.After my taxes going up four hundred dollars and illigels getting all these free services and working under the table,this is why they should not have a free education until US citizens get one.This will go on and on.........Dinamay .

  • By Randy Dye on 09/23 03:49 PM

    This is not revenue positive and what don't you understand about illegal! This whole agenda is political and pushed through with help of the La Raza group. This nation is broke and on verge of economic collapse and socialist takeover. Wake up and smell the truth.

  • By Reglan on 09/23 03:41 PM

    This is revenue positive, people. Perhaps reading comprehension should be better taught in US schools? No tax dollars are going to illegal immigrants in this particular case- they are paying. Reglan

  • By MadMommy on 09/22 03:18 PM

    Am I the only person who thinks that the cost of educating an illegal immigrant is an unfair use of taxpayer dollars? How about the fact that an illegal immigrant with a college degree still can't work in this country without a legal identity or legal resident status? What are we paying for? An illegal immigrant to get a degree and break our laws to work here under the table? Am I missing something? Why not deport them and let them get their degree in their country of origin? Then at least they can get a job there and contribute to the community that provided them an education.

  • By Randy Dye on 09/20 07:22 PM

    I was one of the protestors present and took my own video and photos, check em out on my blog Randy's Right. I'm a Conservative activist that worksd hard to get the truth out. http://randysright.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/protest-today-in-raleigh-on-state-colleges-and-illegal-aliens/

  • By Brittanicus on 09/20 07:17 PM

    In the past not too many Americans and legal residents were unaware of the happenings in Congress. Today instant contact is a way of life for anybody who has access to a computer. In 1986 other than the paper media, tv and radio gave any evidence of the Immigration Reform package and that was surely limited? The US population was isolated from the truth that was to befall them, after the Simpson/Mazzoli bill passed because the politicians hid the truth? 2 million guest workers were to be given citizenship, but the process became full of corruption and 5.3 million was eventually approved for blanket AMNESTY. Expeditiously the guest workers moved away from agriculture and joined the mainstream of workers. BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES ARE EQUALLY TO TAKE BLAME FOR THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OCCUPATION OF OUR NATION. The people who picked the fruit and vegetables in the farms vanished, so that meant more floods of illegal workers to take the empty places. Today Obama wants to pass another miserable immigration reform bill, even though the main author Edward Kennedy insisted there would never be another path to citizenship. Millions of honest voter don't believe the rhetoric or lies that spill from the politicians anymore. Again behind closed drapes they have been having a secret summit, with little or no participation of the press or pro-sovereignty groups. When lawmakers declare no more Immigration reform than they better stick to their words. Both parties contain corrupt legislators who care nothing for the working man/women and are ready to present in the House and Senate a new immigration reform bill. 287 G, was a lifeline to train local police authorities to arrest and question people, but that may have seen the end of days. The no-match letter may also have been sold out, as well as ICE raids to pander to extremist groups such as La Raza. A recently released report by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 42 states lost jobs last month with Indiana alone losing 9,500 jobs! With 15 million Americans out of work and most states continuing to lose jobs on a monthly basis, it is completely obscene that the United States hands out about 100,000 green cards each month! President Obama is holding the reins, this time and already confusing the American people over health care. Joe Wilson was right to some degree about no mechanism in the health care package to identify illegal aliens. After the fact and bombarded by livid Americans they added amendments that would cut off all access. That why our legislators need to amplify the verification procedures, to remove foreign nationals from cheating the system. I trust neither Sen. Harry Reid, House speaker Pelosi and all those who fumble along behind the major conspirators. Harry Reid's Nevada has hospitals in dire need of funds, because of the massive illegal alien population there. The same with California that's having release 20.000 prison inmates, because they were on the edge of bankruptcy, owing to degenerate assembly in Sacramento who allowed unfettered benefits to millions of illegal immigrant families feeding out of the waning state money trough.The businesses that draw them here, pay nothing to their living conditions. Those expenses are left to the taxpayers. Call your Senator or Representative at 202-224-3121 and demand no more Immigration Reform. If you want real facts find out about the corruption and other sinister issues at NUMBERSUSA & JUDICIAL WATCH. Only your irate voices will curtail another AMNESTY travesty and stop millions more arriving illegally in America?

  • By Randy Dye on 09/19 05:50 PM

    Did you see that woman do a freudian slip when she said "this puts us in a very good political position" oops LOL this has LaRaza written all over it. They did the same thing here in Chatham County by making a resolution making us a safe haven for illegal immigrants, when no one in the community wanted it.

  • By uniteas1 on 09/18 08:57 PM

    Tatyana you defintely have a problem with your thinking ("Just because someone cannot work legally in the US does not mean that they shouldn't be educated"). "aceofspades" we are not complaining about more money in the coffers at all! This is just another reward for people who have come into this country ILLEGALLY, period!If they persist in not enforcing our laws and in the same breath reward them we will never take control of ILLEGAL ALIENS in this country. They will just keep coming in droves! And AMNESTY is not the solution. And "gin" you are right it is the children of ILLEGAl ALIENS. They still "LEGALLY" can not work in this country. And while we are at it where do these people get more money then our own American parents can afford to pay these days? Remember they are legally not allowed to work in this country. STOP THE REWARDS! NO AMNESTY!

  • By Randy Dye on 09/18 06:30 PM

    Tatyana, the Gov is a she, not a he. Keep your own comments in your own stare amd mind your bussiness.

  • By Tatyana on 09/18 04:17 PM

    I strongly believe this is a step forward for the State of North Carolina. Gov. Perdue should rethink his statement. Just because someone cannot work legally in the US does not mean that they shouldn't be educated. Knowledge is power. Power to the undocumented population.

  • By aceofspades on 09/18 11:12 AM

    "Immigrant students would have to pay out-of-state rates at $7,700 a per semester for a full course load. They are not eligible for state or federal financial aid." This is revenue positive, people. Perhaps reading comprehension should be better taught in US schools? No tax dollars are going to illegal immigrants in this particular case- they are paying the same rate as any non NC resident would, thereby adding to the coffers of the community college system.

  • By Delaware Bob on 09/18 07:48 AM

    Here we go again! This is just another problem with illegal aliens! Illegal aliens have made America the dumping ground for all their illegal alien children, then we have to school them and give them free medical care. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSe3C5vMafM&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_ZnX9JRo5M&NR=1 I for one, am sick and tired of these ILLEGAL ALIENS snubbing their nose at our immigration laws and the many other laws of this Country. If our Federal Government can not ENFORCE our immigration laws, and get these ILLEGAL ALIENS out of this Country, then let the States do it! One way or another, an end has to come to this illegal immigration, and not with AMNESTY! Amnesty will only encourage more ILLEGAL ALIENS to invade our Country and reward those who broke our laws and raped the American taxpayer in many ways...depressing our wages, taking our jobs, overwhelming our schools with their ILLEGAL ALIEN children, driving without a license or car insurance, all the crime from stolen identities to rape, drugs and everything else. Instead of passing a law to allow illegal aliens to attend college, you should be passing a law to free your State of the illegal aliens. South Carolina, Utah, Mississippi, Missouro, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Arizona and a few others have State laws. Maybe it's time North Carolina add their name to the list! It's time for ZERO TOLERENCE with these ILLEGAL ALIENS. It's time for them get out of this Country and back in their own Country where they belong. When we get rid of the ILLEGAL ALIENS, we will get rid of all the problems that go with them. THAT IS A FACT!

  • By gin on 09/17 11:07 PM

    It is not the Illegal immigrant who is getting help it is the U.S. born child who is not at fault getting help.

  • By Gina (part 2) on 09/17 08:34 PM

    First, let me say, I disagree with illegal aliens attending our schools... All schools, no exceptions. Our country is not taking care of it's own citizens, especially our children with any great care. So, why spend needed funds on inviduals that do not have the right to be here? Now, I will say that I hear a lot from folks that seem to be enraged by the presence of illegals, but I see those same folks eating in restaurants that employee illegals, hiring contractors that employee illegals, and even getting work done on their own homes by illegals ("so much cheaper"). Let's face it, illegal aliens wouldn't be here unless we employeed them, and we do, indirectly or not.

  • By Fairyswearboots2 on 09/17 06:23 PM

    Something must be done ! Illegals deserve Nothing here period!! They already get free food(Foodstamps) medical(Medicaid)WIC etc etc while the government looks the other way.Illegal Aliens are rampant here that being here illegal is not enough they drive illegally and do not carry Insurance because they can't Legally get a drives lisence unless thats changed again too. It Disgusts me when I have to be in the same room with a person I beleive is Illegal and nothing is done about it as they All know they can get away with it unless something changes AND SOON!

  • By Mike Jernigan on 09/17 04:28 PM

    Illegal is Illegal what part of that do these so called educated people not understand.And these are people that have influence over other people.How scary.Next year this time our Prez. will have made them all legal.Unless something is done,so take it up then.

  • By Randy Dye on 09/17 04:12 PM

    What a slap in the face to tax payers, everyone is against this. Why isn't our govt listening to us.

  • By Randy Dye on 09/17 04:10 PM

    What a slap in the face to tax payers, everyone is against this. Why isn't our govt listening to us.

  • By Eyut on 09/17 03:43 PM

    The vote to allow illegal immigrants admission to our schools of higher learning is a complete slap in the face of tax payers of the state of north carolina. THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS WHATSOEVER TO GO TO THESE SCHOOLS WHEN THEY HAVE BROKEN OUR LAWS.

  • By Eyut on 09/17 03:42 PM

    The vote to allow illegal immigrants admission to our schools of higher learning is a complete slap in the face of tax payers of the state of north carolina. THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS WHATSOEVER TO GO TO THESE SCHOOLS WHEN THEY HAVE BROKEN OUR LAWS.

  • By Mike D on 09/17 03:22 PM

    What are they going to do with the education? Isn't it illegal for US companies to hire illegal immigrants!!

  • By MadMommy on 09/17 03:08 PM

    Every seat in every classroom in America has been constructed and paid for by American tax dollars. These facilities are meant to educate America's youth. That is the CITIZENS of this country. We are not here to provide educational facilities for every country on the planet. If you have entered this country legally, you'll have a visa and an ID and pay full price to attend any higher educational facility here. It requires a STUDENT VISA. When illegal immigrants come here, they ignore all the rules of laws that this country was built on. They routinely expect our country to bend to their wants and needs. Sadly, they have been encouraged to think that way by the mixed messages our government sends regarding their presence here. But make no mistake now, American kids MUST come FIRST in this country. We are NOT going to provide financial aid and in-state tuitions for illegal immigrants and their children to attend taxpayer sponsored universities of higher learning. NO WAY!

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