RALEIGH, N.C. -- Republican governor's candidate Pat McCrory, in his first attack of the general election, slammed his Democratic rival Friday for supporting a policy that allows illegal immigrants to attend the state's community colleges.

Pat McCrory, Bev Perdue

There's only one problem: Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue has the same opinion as McCrory on the issue.

Perdue has made it clear that she opposes a community college policy -- which is supported by Gov. Mike Easley -- that orders all 58 campuses to admit illegal immigrants who are 18 years old and high school graduates.

"I think the policy is ill-conceived for North Carolina, although I'm very respectful of it," Perdue said in an April interview with The Associated Press. "I know that resources are limited and that opportunity to have educational services for folks who can work legally in North Carolina has to be the priority if you're picking and choosing.

"I would hope that our community college system would hear me and hear the voice of North Carolina saying that."

McCrory echoed those remarks in a statement issued Friday, saying it makes no sense to prepare students who are legally unemployable.

"Every seat taken by an illegal immigrant could potentially deny a citizen a chance for higher education," McCrory said.

The statement, which refers to the "Easley-Perdue" administration, continues: "It is obvious that Beverly Perdue and I have a completely different opinion on the approach state government should take when it comes to dealing with illegal immigration."

Messages left with a spokesman for McCrory at his campaign office were not immediately returned. Calls to his cell phone were also unsuccessful.

"It's unfortunate that less than a week into a general election, Pat McCrory would stoop to twisting the facts about Bev Perdue," said Perdue spokesman David Kochman. "We had hoped for a more honest dialogue on the issues in this campaign."

Andy Taylor, who teaches political science at North Carolina State University, said McCrory may be trying to color Perdue with Easley's policy positions. But he cautioned that McCrory is entering a dangerous territory against a candidate such as Perdue, who has the campaign resources to defend herself.

"If you can get away with it, you're OK. If you can't, it makes it look like you're trying to twist language," Taylor said. "Or it makes you look incompetent or wrong."

Attorney General Roy Cooper recommended this week the state community college system drop the policy, but he also called on the federal government to provide clarity on what is legal. The next day, Easley called on the system to continue enrolling illegal immigrants.

Federal immigration officials said Friday there is no law prohibiting the state from educating illegal immigrants at public colleges and universities. In a statement provided to the News & Observer of Raleigh, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it is up to the schools on whether to enroll illegal immigrants.

"The Department of Homeland Security does not require any school to determine a student's status," the statement said.

McCrory and Perdue each won their respective party nominations in Tuesday's primary election.