Governor Easley Disagrees With Community College Decision / WITN.com - Eastern Carolina's Weather Authority - Breaking News &Weather For Eastern North Carolina: Greenville NC, New Bern, Jacksonville NC, Kinston, Washington NC, Morehead City & Havelock. WITN 7 NBC For Pitt County, Onslow County & All of East Carolina.

Partly Cloudy
	Temp: 77 F (25 C) Humidity: 62 Heat Index: NA F

Home · News · Weather · Sports · Politics · Blogs · Web Cams · Sunrise · Lottery · Scam Alert · Entertainment · ECU Sports · Station/Bios

Real Estate · CarSoup · Rental Guide · Experts · Double Dollar Deals · Classifieds · Food · Contests · Community · Carolina Camera · Health · First Alert · HD

UPDATED: J.H. Rose Trainer Suspended Without Pay
226 Comments

Obama Leads McCain In National Poll, Palin A Drag On GOP Ticket
70 Comments

UPDATED: Gas For $2.94!
64 Comments

Poll: Obama Leads In NC, McCrory Maintains His Lead
62 Comments

Obama: McCain Trying To Divide Country With Angry Remarks
62 Comments

UPDATED: School Bus Accident Injures 23 Students
55 Comments

	Lottery Latest results from the North Carolina Education Lottery.

	Scam Alert Protect yourself. Don't get scammed!

	Country Rover Tom Skinner goes off the beaten path.

	On The Road WITN covers all of Eastern Carolina.

	Doppler’s Doghouse See Doppler Dog’s pet pals online.

	Gas Prices Search for the area’s best deals.

	Hunting & Fishing Forecast Best time of day to hunt or fish…

	Green Guide Your online resource for "green" living!

	Carolina Camera Upload your favorite photos and videos.

	WITN2go WITN News, Weather, Sports and more on your mobile phone – Anytime. Anywhere.

	First Alert Instant weather and breaking news on your desktop!

	Carolina Scanner News from around the state. All on one convenient page.

	Meet the Team
	Contact Us
	What's On WITN?
	Sunrise
	Jobs @ WITN
	Where Are They Now?
	About WITN
	HDTV

Climate change efforts could slow
The economic free fall gripping the nation may bring down one of the main environmental objectives: capping the greenhouse gases that are blamed for global warming.
U.K. set to unveil bailout plans
Major British banks likely to announce plans to recapitalize on Monday, a person familiar with the matter said, a move that could see the government take multi-billion pound stakes in several.
IMF warns of global financial meltdown
The International Monetary Fund warned Saturday that debt-ridden banks were pushing the global financial system to the brink of meltdown and rich nations had so far failed to restore confidence.

Governor Easley Disagrees With Community College Decision

Save

Posted: 8:44 PM May 13, 2008
Last Updated: 9:43 PM May 13, 2008
Reporter: Christine Kennedy

12 comments

A | A | A

It has been a source of controversy ever since last December when Community Colleges were told they had to accept illegal immigrants as students.

But Tuesday the North Carolina Community College system said it will no longer admit illegal immigrants to degree programs.

The decision comes following advice from the State Attorney Generals Office.

The policy to admit illegal immigrants provoked heavy criticism, so they asked the Attorney Generals Office for guidance. Last week, Roy Cooper's office suggested the system drop the admissions policy. It's a decision Governor Mike Easley believes is wrong.

Easley said, "Clearly Community College's is misinterpreting the law, the Attorney General has misinterpreted the law based on what Homeland Security said on Friday, so I hope they take a look at that."

The Department of Homeland Security advised the state that Community Colleges do not have to ask if someone is legal or not. While Community Colleges will bar illegal immigrants from degree programs, they will still be able to take non-degree courses.

More Stories
Product Recalled Because Of Deadly Threat

Scientists Confirm Second Virgin Birth In Shark

McCain And Letterman Reconcile

Attorney: Marine Fighting Extradition From Mexico

Is McCain Changing His Tone?

Wildfire Threatens Homes, Wineries In Napa Valley

Robbery Victim Follows Attacker Home

Crime Creeps Into Local Small Town

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: BIG J Location: SNOWHILL on May 14, 2008 at 06:36 PM
HEY EASLEY,,,,Get with it you have done a lot that the good people of N.C. did not and do not Agrees With...So go home.

Posted by: RMSH Class '68 Location: NC on May 14, 2008 at 06:16 PM
It seems our Governor has misintrpretted the WORD "Illegal" ! As a tax paying American "Citizen" & a college educated person thru WORK i did myself to pay my own tuition I beleive that ANYONE who is a LEGAL US citizen can receive an education with funds generated from other LEGAL US Citizens. IF I am involved in ANY "illegal" activity i can be arrested, prosecuted & potential lose my job, home and any funding that i receive from any US government agency. So why is a native NC citizen like Mike Easley from a good home in nash county supporting "Illegal" people cominng to the USA nad receiving education & benefits thay MOST of us have to PAY for and OBEY the LAWS? It just shows me that even a UNC college grad & homebrewed native has subcomed to the pressures of politics. To bad Mike come to the next RMSH class reunion and visit other concerned members of YOUR HS class for their input.

Posted by: Matt Location: Washington on May 14, 2008 at 09:09 AM
Nonhispanic, get a grip on reality. Your words are a nice thought of days gone by. Before taxes, welfare, and other broken programs that are being taken advantage of by not immigrants but illegal immigrants. If everyone felt the way you do I would be typing this in Spanish.

Posted by: Mike on May 14, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Easley is a fool.Agin somebody wants to follow U.S law for ILLEGALS.They are NOT citizens and they have NO rights in this country.Just as we have no rights in there country.I think the majority has spoken and it seems clear to me.GO HOME!!!

Posted by: barbara Location: beulaville on May 14, 2008 at 07:50 AM
So, are we as AMERICAN CITIZENS going to have to foot this bill also.

Posted by: Mike Location: Edenton on May 14, 2008 at 06:08 AM
Watch for Easley to run for Senate against Richard Burr when his term expires. Voters should not forget all these blunders he's making now. But then the average voter has a short memory. The LEFT has already forgotten 9-11!

Posted by: go home on May 14, 2008 at 06:05 AM
Can't you get the message? NC and the AG do not want people here illegally to be able to enroll in our schools...whether for a degree or NOT. Send them home...and Mike Easley...pack your bags and get ready to move, too. I am sick and tired of spending years....35 as a matter of fact, working in our state, continually paying local, state, and federal taxes, ss, insurance, hospitalization, and supporting public school. I am a teacher, and also have a daughter in college, which i am paying loans with interest.. with no help. I also pay medicaid out of my check...so for all of our citizens that should work, and are too lazy not to, you are filling the minds of what i hear students say they don't need to work, they get a check..and spend it on $100.00 shirts and jeans. There is a materializtic generation now, and one before that our government needs to stop giving checks and all...and make our CITIZENS WORK.

Posted by: Walter Location: Chocowinity on May 14, 2008 at 01:06 AM
Governor Easley Disagrees With Community College Decision, I disagree with Governor Easley. Illegal is Illegal. What does Governor Easley not understands about that? I think that everyone who asks for government assistance is ask for his or her legal status. If the parents are illegal, they should not collect money for their children, because they are born in America. Governor Easley, I wish you the best for your further life. I hope you will receive the same privileges you gave the North Carolinians, when you was Governor. Walter

Posted by: nonhispanic us citizen Location: greenville on May 13, 2008 at 11:37 PM
I think it is disheartining that we have forgotten the words on the statue of liberty. give me your tired your poor ... does everyone forget that we all have decended from people coming here looking for a better way of life? so we make a big deal about them being illegal, but then we make it impossible to come here legally with too much red tape and too many restrictions. all the talk about illegal aliens is just a popular way for people to practice discrimination against hispanics who would gladly pay taxes if given a chance to. lets give them a way to make a better life for themselves and their families and find a way to offer a work visa and a way to stay here and work. it is like we have made it to the life raft and now don't want anyone else to get on it. get over yourselves people and start practicing some love and kindness toward your fellow man.

Posted by: George Location: Greenville on May 13, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Look at it this way. Your child enrolls in a community college. The classes fill up quickly and your child can't take some classes because they are filled up. Who should get the seats in that classroom? Your child or an illegal immigrant?

Posted by: Matt Location: Washington on May 13, 2008 at 10:37 PM
It would appear that Mikey is trying to pay his debts before leaving office. More taxes on smokes and drinks? Who's that for? Let illegals in our community colleges? Who's that for? (key word illegals). Deleting E-mails......why? Go quietly Mike, the record will follow you. People of this state don't forget Easley.

Posted by: Cactus Location: Strabane,NC on May 13, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Gov. Mike you seem to be totally out of touch with the people in NC. There are questions, but no one agrees with you. Do you want to continue down this road knowing that the voters do not agree with you or are you bucking for a seat on the US senate where no one pays any attention to the voter what so ever.

witn.com's Most Viewed
1.	Robbery Victim Follows Attacker Home
2.	Crime Creeps Into Local Small Town
3.	Caught By Police Trying To Walk Into Football Game
4.	UPDATED: Gas For $2.94!
5.	ARCHIVED STORY:Capra Jr. Dead
6.	Naked Woman Leads Police On Chase
7.	Hogs Donned In Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness Month
8.	"Tony" Rezko Whispers Secrets To Federal Prosecutors
9.	UPDATED: School Bus Accident Injures 23 Students
10.	Homeless Man Drenched With Gasoline, Set On Fire

With the state of the economy and the falling stock market, do you plan to sell any of your investments and get the money or try to wait until the market stabilizes?

	Sell
	Wait
	Neither

	CarSoup Search inventory from local dealers and private sellers.

	Rental Guide Video tours to help you find your next apartment.

	Double Dollar Deals Save 50% from local merchants.

	Sylvan Problem Solver Video tips from Sylvan Learning Center.

	Classifieds THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free.

	Experts Got a question? Ask Eastern Carolina's Experts.

	Local Lookup Find local businesses online.

	Business Break Two minutes of info from local businesses.

	Lawyers On Call Free legal information on a variety of topics.

	Video Home Tours Tour Eastern Carolina homes from your computer.

Click one of the pictures below to see more or to upload your own photos and videos.

Wildfire burns 750 acres near Los Angeles
Authorities say firefighters backed by water-dumping helicopters and planes are gaining ground on a wildfire in the Angeles National Forest that has forced the evacuation of about 1,200 people.
Economic woes could curtail action on warming
The economic free fall gripping the nation may bring down one of the main environmental objectives: capping the greenhouse gases that are blamed for global warming.
GOP's Palin denies abuse of power finding
A legislative investigator reports the Republican vice presidential nominee violated state ethics laws and abused her power by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper.
Card collection includes 6,356 decks
The collection spans 50 countries and four centuries and touches on subjects ranging from beer marketing to 19th-century Portuguese politics.
FBI releases files on Jack Anderson
In caustic comments on internal FBI memos, bureau director J. Edgar Hoover referred to prominent columnist Jack Anderson with undisguised contempt, calling him "a jackal."