Posted on 09/04/2003 8:53:02 PM PDT by Happy2BMe
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Immigrant Group Sues Virginia Colleges
Immigrant-Rights Group Sues Seven Virginia Colleges Over Admissions Policy
The Associated Press |
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ALEXANDRIA, Va. Sept. 3 — Immigrant-rights groups are suing seven Virginia colleges for allegedly following the state attorney general's advice to deny admission to illegal immigrants. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, contends that the schools' policies usurp the role of federal immigration authorities. It was filed on behalf of unidentified students who either attend or have graduated from Virginia public high schools. |
The suit follows an advisory opinion issued last year by Attorney General Jerry Kilgore recommending that all Virginia colleges deny admission to illegal immigrants and suggesting that admissions officers report potentially illegal applicants to federal authorities.
Such action punishes hundreds of high school students whose illegal status is no fault of their own, who were brought to the United States by their parents, said Andres Tobar, co-chair of the Immigrant Legal Rights Coalition.
"We cannot deny a whole generation of young immigrant children access to higher education," Tobar said.
Kilgore spokesman Tim Murtaugh said nothing in federal or state law prohibits or requires admission of illegal immigrants. As a policy matter, though, Kilgore favors denial of admission.
"We think people ought to obey the laws of society before they take advantage of what it has to offer," Murtaugh said.
The schools named in the lawsuit are the University of Virginia, the College of William and Mary, Virginia Tech University, Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, James Madison University and Northern Virginia Community College.
Officials with George Mason and the community college, however, said their schools allow illegal or undocumented students to enroll.
James Madison and VCU have policies barring admission for illegal immigrants, while Virginia Tech requires students who aren't U.S. citizens to provide a resident alien card or a visa to enroll.
Officials at Virginia and William and Mary declined comment
Let's try this again...
"We cannot deny a whole generation of young immigrant children access to higher education," Tobar said.
Yes we can... If it can be shown that they're here illegally, then they, and their parents, should be deported immediately.
Mark
For Illegal Immigrants. Something here ain't adding up....
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