Paul Stam

All Costs to Taxpayers Must Be Considered

Raleigh – The State Board of Community Colleges is expected to decide next week whether to admit illegal immigrants to degree programs. Although North Carolina community colleges are reporting record enrollments, last month the policy committee of the board recommended a policy allowing illegal immigrants.

The board received a consultant’s report in April on the effects of admission of these students into the community college system. A primary focus of the study was to calculate the amount of state and local resources required to support a student enrolled full-time in a community college curriculum program.

The study estimated there is no public subsidy for illegal immigrants if they pay out-of state tuition. However, the consultant did not include the value of the land or buildings in the computation of education costs. Are these items free?

“Members of the State Board should thoughtfully consider the effects of admitting illegal immigrants into our community colleges. The study is clearly flawed. Taxpayer subsidies are unquestionably much higher,” said Rep. Paul Stam (R-Wake). “At a time most community college classes are enrolled to capacity, it makes no sense to allow those who are in this country illegally to displace our citizens.”

The issue of admitting undocumented immigrants has been before leaders of the community college for years. The board has changed the policy four times since 2000.