Cooper's office wrote the state community college system suggesting it drop a lenient admissions policy that orders all 58 campuses to admit illegal immigrants who are 18 years old and high school graduates.
But Easley said in a prepared statement that the current policy, which he endorsed when it was released last fall, should continue because federal law on whether it is legal hasn't been settled.
"The Legislature specifically provided the community college board the authority to establish admission criteria," said Easley, who was attorney general from 1993 to 2001. "In the absence of federal action to the contrary, the community college board should continue its current policy, which is consistent with other states."
In the meantime, Easley said he asked Cooper's office to "seek clarification from Washington regarding eligibility of admission to community colleges."
"The Attorney General's advisory letter acknowledges the federal government has not prohibited this policy," Easley said.
In an e-mail, Cooper spokeswoman Noelle Talley said in response: "Just like our letter said, we stand ready to seek clarification on the federal law on behalf of the community college system." She didn't respond to requests for further comment.
A phone call to a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Community College System wasn't returned Thursday. On Wednesday, the spokeswoman said it would take Cooper's letter under advisement.
Easley has no direct authority over the nation's third-largest community college system, which has roughly 800,000 students. He appoints slightly less than half of the 21 system's board members, but his support of last year's decision helped strengthen the resolve of system leaders to retain the policy.
Easley said at the time the children of illegal immigrants living in North Carolina shouldn't be punished for their parents' decision to enter the country and that the state couldn't ignore their presence in the state.
The policy updated a 2004 policy that left the admissions decision to individual campuses. Less than 400 students who were illegal immigrants had enrolled in degree programs before the change.
But JB Kelly, a lawyer in Cooper's office, wrote Tuesday to the system that following even stricter guidelines approved in 2001 "would more likely withstand judicial scrutiny."
The 2001 decision said illegal immigrants who are high school students can take college-level courses, and illegal immigrants of any age can enroll in non-college level courses or programs, such as English as a second language.
The General Assembly reconvenes next week, and some lawmakers have suggested overturning the policy change by passing a law. The two major-party candidates for governor - Democrat Beverly Perdue and Republican Pat McCrory - have opposed the more lenient policy.
