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Governor Easley Disagrees With Community College Decision

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Posted: 7:44 PM May 13, 2008
Last Updated: 8:43 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.

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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 05:36 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 05:16 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 08:09 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 07:00 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 06:50 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 05:08 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 05:05 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 12:06 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 10:37 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 09:54 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 09:37 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 08:26 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.

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