Civitas Proposes Model Legislation Regarding Community Colleges and Illegal Immigrants
With N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) President Scott Ralls’ announcement that community colleges will cease admitting illegal aliens it has become clear that legislative action is needed to clarify this issue. As suggested in the May 6, 2008, advisory letter issued by the N.C. attorney general’s office, neither the community college system nor the UNC system is authorized to write policy in this area. Under federal law, only the state legislature can properly decide whether to extend higher education benefits to illegal aliens.
“President Ralls’ announcement that community colleges will cease admitting illegal aliens only reinforces the fact that legislative action is needed to clarify this issue. During the last 7 years, NCCCS has changed its position on enrolling illegal aliens four times,” stated Civitas director of policy Dr. Jameson Taylor. “The most recent decision to cease enrolling illegal aliens could be changed at any time. What is needed is legislation that will settle this matter once and for all.”
Civitas has proposed model legislation on this issue that would solidify the policy first implemented by the community college system in 2001. Such legislation would apply to both the community colleges, as well as the UNC system, which continues to quietly enroll illegal aliens. In addition, the legislation would require all public colleges and universities to verify the Social Security number and legal status of all applicants.
“While some college administrators are claiming that verifying legal status will require hiring new staff, the truth is that schools can verify legal presence using the federal SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement) online database,” noted Taylor. “SAVE is free and easy to use. Alternatively, Johnston Community College claims that it is already using its current software to screen Social Security numbers as part of the routine application process.”
INTERVIEWS WITH DR. JAMESON TAYLOR ARE AVAILABLE: contact Dennis Parker at dennisp@nccivitas.org or 919-834-2099