RALEIGH, N.C. -- On a quiet downtown Raleigh street on Christmas Eve, a coalition of civil rights groups used the Nativity story to call for the children of illegal immigrants to continue to be admitted in the state’s community colleges and university system.

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“Just as the Holy Family heard the words no room at the inn, we cannot let our Hispanic brothers and sisters hear the words no room at the inn when it comes to education,” said the Rev. Dr William Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP.

 

“Jesus began his life as an alien not being welcome, we can’t do the same,” he added.

 

The census bureau estimates there are about 600,000 Hispanic immigrants in North Carolina, with about half that number undocumented. Officials with the state’s community colleges say there are 340 illegal immigrants registered while officials with the UNC system say there are 27 undocumented students enrolled. Those students attending either a UNC system or community college campus pay out of state tuition rates.

 

But it’s become a hot issue of debate.

 

Opponents say it’s enabling illegal activity but civil rights groups call it an investment. 

 

“The main focus of this is economic development, workforce development, but people tend to focus on the word illegal,” said Marco Zarate, president of the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals.

 

The immigrants are here, they’re staying, and providing an education gives them a chance to be productive citizens.

 

“The bottom line, we are a nation of immigrants and providing a helping hand makes sense,” said Diana Haskell, with the League of Women Voters.

 

Right now, the law requires the public school system to educate the children of illegal immigrants through high school. But the law stops there.

 

The state’s community colleges and university system allow those students to enroll but the policy is under review. It will make for a heated debate when the General Assembly convenes in the spring.