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 U.S. 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 often 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." Several leaders of Charlotte's Latino community travelled to Raleigh for the hearing. Ruben Campillo, who heads the state's chapter of Reform Immigration for America, said he was encouraged by what he described as "overwhelming support" in favor of the policy. "We need to address (immigration) at the federal level," said Campillo, based in Charlotte, "but in the meantime, we need to continue to give all students the opportunity to pursue an education." 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 two-and-a-half hour hearing and will consider the comments before finalizing the rule next year. They said the board still 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 is expected to take effect next school year, lifting a ban that has kept undocumented students out of degree programs since May 2008. The proposed 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 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, making sure that their voices were heard first. "We're tired of a small group dominating," said Melinda Wiggins, a farm worker advocate. "The majority of people really do support access to education for all people." Some speakers cried as they talked of undocumented students who would be unable to afford out-of-state tuition. 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." http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/1133542.html Doesn't the Bible also say thy shall not steal ? Thy shall obey the laws of the country they are in ? Doesn't the Bible say not to have kids out of of wedlock ? Why do these Latino community activists select what part of the Bible can be used today and which part is unjust and as such you do not have to comply with those parts of Bible if it causes you hardship or must obey the laws ? Where can I buy this new Bible at ? Why are these students not over in Mexico shouting Everyone has a right to college education even the bible says as much ?
Immigration - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
If you want more people to get educated.. then yes..
2 :
Be prepared for the backlash you are about to receive. You will be amazed at the amount of anger in the responses to come. I could not agree with you more and I applaud you for stepping out and stating your case. I used to be very anti-immigration until I became educated to the real plight of undocumented workers. I now do everything I can to speak and and support these victims. For those who don't see the human element behind this (those who don't see that everyone deserves the right to an education) there is a financial aspect to consider. According to the US Census Bureau, Latinos will make up 30% of the US population by 2050, in California it it more dramatic; Latinos are projected to make up 54% of California's total population. Why does this matter to you? An educated population generally earns higher income and contributes more money to the economy. On the flip side, undereducated populations are more prone to crime and tend to depend on social services (welfare, foodstamps, etc) which costs the government (and taxpayers a lot of money). So it is in all of our best interest to make education available and accessible to everyone, equally. I would love to discuss this issue with you in detail. I have become involved with clubs that support AB 540 students in California who struggle with the issues you discussed. You can contact me through my blog or by email (through m profile). http://findingmyhumanity.blogspot.com/
3 :
Why can't the Mexicans understand America is broke. There is no more money left. So we should tell families with young kids sorry we cannot help you have food this week,but the illegal Mexican gets sacks of food from the church every week.What is the NAACP doing helping Mexicans, is the NAACP cause all fixed and they have so much free time on their hands.I thought the NAACP were suppose to be helping their own race with all their problems going on today, but they find time to not be working on helping their people, but find illegal Mexicans to be their new cause . La Raza does not even help other races .That's why La Raza says for the race everything-those outside the race nothing
4 :
Until we placed armed security forces at the borders to protect the country from the illegals entering to become criminals, nothing will get better. There's a proper legal way to enter, but illegals go around that. Enter. And don't make things better. Many of them demand we speak their language, offer options to cater to them, kiss their asses. The border patrol has been prevented from stopping them by liberals. Eventually the US will implode due to the weak people who comprise "the mob" getting everything they wanted despite whether it was good for the country or not. Then, when the US is as poor as Mexico, will people finally ask "Should we have done something?". It will be too late, but some will actually wake up to their insanity. Between now and then I would expect a race war to erupt along border states.
5 :
I think they should be allowed to attend community colleges, or any college they want to. Here in NC, they can attend college, but have to pay out of pocket 5 times the out of state tuition rate. Bloody expensive. If they can do that, what difference does it make? It isn't like they are using Pell grants, or scholarships that American citizens could have gotten!!!! Plus when they receive their education it is NOT like they will be competing with American citizens for those jobs. They are illegal and can NOT produce the evidence needed to prove they have the right to work in the US that would match the name on their college degree. So why are people getting their panties in a knot? Are American that insecure about their own educations that they fear a Mexican getting a degree, then them not being able to put it to good use in the US? Maybe if they get good educations here, they will return to their country and try and improve things. Maybe, just maybe, in enough time we will see a trickle down effect and more illegals with US college educations making a difference in their own countries, thus turning the illegal immigration tide here in the US. Has anyone stopped to think how this could turn out to be a positive thing for the US? I seriously doubt it! ~~Donna~~
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