Texas Checkpoint Plan Stirs Lots of Talk


Some see safety-others a plan for immigration enforcement.
By KTRH's Bill O'Neal
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The plan is pretty simple-at least on its surface. State or local law enforcement officers would man checkpoints on roadways-and look over driver's licenses, insurance information-possibly some other information. That has some State Lawmakers worried it may all be a thinly veiled disguise of an immigration enforcement effort-and many of them are crying foul.

On the other hand though, some see your safety as the number one priority in this effort.

"Quite frankly, if people are not here legally, I'm not sure why that would be problematic," said State Representative Debbie Riddle, who supports the plan.

"I do have some hesitations regarding this-I like less government, not more government. On the other hand, public safety is a big issue," Riddle said. "I'm not really concerned about political incorrectness of this particular issue as much as I'm concerned about public safety-and if this would enhance public safety, then I think we have to look at it seriously."

Riddle said immigration law should be applied to any illegal immigrant the checkpoints might turn up. But not everyone is sold-especially when it comes to any immigration enforcement effort the plan might supposedly contain.

"They've been successful at raising revenue for police departments-that catch on any little problem with your license, insurance, or taxes," said Americans for Legal Immigration President William Gheen, who has seen such checkpoints at work in other parts of the country.

"Most times… when these laws are applied-they are applied fervently to legal U.S. citizens, while illegal aliens are allowed to get away with whatever they want," Gheen said. However, if such a plan is implemented correctly, he believes it could make a difference.

"If it was actually designed to detect, detain, and deport illegal aliens, the public would support the checkpoints rather fervently. If it's designed to allow illegal aliens to just walk, and harass American citizens, then it will be unpopular," Gheen said.

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