It's a ping-ping match gone mad.
At one end, paddle in hand, is Scott Ralls, new president of the N.C. community college system. He's working up a powerful sweat swiftly swatting the ball.
His opponent? Himself. And neither side seems to be winning.
Not so fast
North Carolina's community colleges have banned illegal immigrants from seeking degrees. That reverses a controversial policy ordered last fall allowing undocumented students to enter so long as they pay expensive out-of-state tuition.Mr. Ralls took that action in his first few days as the top leader of the state's 58 community colleges. He based it on advice from the state attorney general's office, which said last week federal law appears to prevent states from enrolling illegal immigrants in state colleges and universities.
The trouble is, this may not even be an accurate reading of the law.
It's so iffy, in fact, that North Carolina's other higher education guru -- university system President Erskine Bowles -- wisely told chancellors to stay the course until the relevant law could be clarified.
Which raises the question: Why would the leader of the community college system be so quick to fire a serve with spin over the net?
Not black and white
Let's face it. Saying illegal immigrants ought to have rights is like shouting "Go Duke!" at the base of the Old Well in Chapel Hill. This is not a thing that brings out reasoned responses.
Ditto for saying they ought to be able to attend college -- even if they pay exorbitant rates.
But the issue isn't as black-and-white as it sounds.
For one thing, we're not just talking about adults who broke the law to come here. Most undocumented college students were brought here years ago as children by their parents. They graduated from high school here and have become part of our culture and our communities.
For another, it's in the long-term interest of the state to offer people who live and work here as much education as possible. We are all better off with workers who have skills and knowledge than we are with untrained, uneducated workers.
Those are both reasons why acting hastily to bar illegal immigrants from enrollment is a lousy policy.
Here's another: The federal government says it has no authority over admissions at North Carolina colleges. Both Ralls and the attorney general's office are seeking further clarification. Even Ralls admits the policy could change again.
So why play ping-pong?
This policy reflects an attitude a lot of North Carolinians share: People who come here illegally have no business taking advantage of public resources built for the benefit of citizens and paid for with tax dollars.
It's also strategic: A few politicians in the state legislature may be a little more amenable to community college budget requests if schools crack down on illegals.
Meanwhile, the ball flies furiously back and forth across the net.
Mary C.
Schulken
