Posted on 07/14/2005 4:35:17 PM PDT by NCjim
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Supporters of offering illegal immigrants in-state tuition to North Carolina's public universities pledged Wednesday to keep fighting for the measure, offered by lawmakers in April with great expectations but defeated less than two months later without so much as a committee vote.
"We're going to keep working until we get it done," said former Gov. Jim Hunt, the highest profile supporter of the bill. "They will not outlast us."
Hunt and about 200 others gathered to review how the bill failed to move forward during this year's legislative session, with some meeting later to discuss their failed strategy.
The measure would have allowed illegal immigrants who attend state high schools for at least four consecutive years before graduation to pay in-state tuition at the state's public universities and community colleges. The teenagers also would have to apply for legal immigration status to receive the resident rate.
Supporters expected no more than 1,300 applications from such students and just a few hundred to enroll in the first year.
But opponents quickly rallied against the issue and inundated talk radio and the Internet with complaints about a bill they believed would legitimize illegal immigration. At least nine lawmakers backed out as sponsors in the face of the opposition.
The crumbling support and public opposition surprised supporters, said Andrea Bazan-Manson, executive director of El Pueblo, a Hispanic advocacy group that pushed for the legislation. They had prepared for six years to get the legislation in a position for possible approval, she said.
Walking back from the press conference following the bill's introduction, "I was already planning the bill signing with Gov. (Mike) Easley," Bazan-Manson said.
Instead, she and others on her staff, as well as bill sponsors, got a stream of intimidating threats that left some fearing for their safety...
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
NC Ping
Just because something is a terrible idea and has been rejected by the legislature and the voice of the public, don't give it up!
And exactly why isn't this the case to attend High school, middel school, and elementary school.... Farming future 'Rats I presume.
Out of state U.S. citizens can't get in-state tuition, but out of nation citizens are supposed to? Since when?
Sorry, no way Jose.
Thank you for your years of service to our state.
Now, please go home.
Sincerely,
What ever happened to "we are just doing the jobs lazy Americans don't want to do?"
We'll educate the Illegal Immigrants children and ours will compete with them for a good job.
But they will have the advantage of speaking fluent Spanish..
No wonder they love it here!
Why should taxpayers pay to subsidise education for illegals? Thats crazy.
I'm for a governor of North Carolina declaring that all illegal immigrants are outlaws.
This puppy does not now and never will "Hunt". Give it up jerks.
This idea is insane. Jim Hunt is a true embarassment to our state.
I agree with you all the way around.
I just wish the Republican party could run a gubernatorial campaign without self-destructing. Last (R) governor I remember is Jim Martin. The rest is a big blur of Jim Hunt. Wretch
Hopefully "King of the Hill" will do a show on illegal immigrants receiving in-state tuition. That way Gov. Tax Hike Mike will know what to do!
For those outside of NC, Tax Hike Mike is a King of the Hill fan and polled ideas based on the show.
Sigh.....
LOL!
It's so sad it's funny.
bump
ping
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