Poor Immigration Enforcement Blamed in Fatal Crash
By: Claire Kellett, Anchor/Reporter
Story Created: May 15, 2008
Story Updated: May 15, 2008

MARSHALLTOWN - Mona and Merrell Kilborn praise the work of ICE agents handling the raid in Postville, saying they are simply enforcing the laws of the United States. This Marshalltown couple isn't against large populations of people from other countries being in the U-S. Their objection is when people live here illegally.

To Mona and Merrell Kilborn, the moral debate about illegal immigration ends with only one answer. It's wrong, period.

"I am appalled no one seems to bat an eye that so many people are here illegally and very little is done about it," says Mona Kilborn.

The Kilborn's quest to do something about it became more personal last October. An illegal immigrant driving an SUV with a fake license ran a stop sign in town and broadsided their van. Mona's 90-year-old mother died on impact. Her father spent a lot of time in the hospital's intensive care unit. And Merrell broke his back.

"I am reminded every day what happened to me and to us," says Merrell Kilborn.

Painful memories the Kilborns say would not have been made if more state and federal laws were in place to crack down on illegal immigrants. The woman behind this wheel was a repeated rule-breaker.

"The woman who hit us was a convicted felon who had already been adjudicated in court for meth and child endangerment and was charged with serious assault," says Mona.

The Kilborns can't get a clear answer from authorities why the woman was ever released, or why it took the loss of their loved one to send an illegal immigrant back to Mexico. What they do know is the process to become legal is lengthy but legitimate.

"We've adopted internationally. We know what it takes to get into the US, and it's not easy, but we followed the rules," says Mona.

And the Kilborns say so should everyone else. They have been in touch with local, state, and national leaders. They recently worked with a state lawmaker on a bill that would prevent illegal immigrants from bailing themselves out of jail and would punish employers who hire illegal immigrants. They say it passed the House this passed legislative session, but not the Senate. They plan to push the bill again next year.

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