Alabama Bars Community College for Undocumented

When will we understand that it’s not in our nation’s best interest to block educational opportunities for all immigrants–even college students who happen to be undocumented? Most of these students will remain in the U.S. for the rest of their lives. When will we understand that when they do well, we all do well? And when will Congress pass the DREAM Act? From Mary Ann Zehr of Education Week:

Alabama has joined North Carolina in deciding not to admit undocumented immigrants to community colleges. The policy will go into effect next spring. The Alabama state board of education approved the policy on Sept. 26.

Last May North Carolina barred undocumented students from community colleges and decided to stick with that policy even after it received clarification from the federal government that it could go either way: admit or not admit them. South Carolina has enacted a law saying undocumented students can’t be admitted to ANY state colleges. And Arkansas education officials have said the state won’t pay for colleges and universities to educate undocumented students–and they are requiring state institutions of higher education to ask students about their immigration status.

This list of states that are denying access is short, but all of these policies came about only since spring, so the trend has gained momentum in a short while. Click here for the rest of her blog.

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