Thread: Immigration fixes won't keep drunk drivers off roads

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/n ... 421437.htm

Posted on Fri, Aug. 19, 2005

The real problems

Immigration fixes won't keep drunk drivers off roads

Who doesn't feel anger and outrage at the failure of our justice system that resulted in the death of Scott Gardner? Mr. Gardner, a Mount Holly teacher, died last month when his car was hit by a truck driven by Ramiro Gallegos, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who is now facing his fifth impaired driving charge in five years.

So to efforts to get drunk drivers off North Carolina's highways and combat illegal immigration, we say "Amen!" But the legislation Rep. Sue Myrick recommends won't do much about either problem. In addition, it would draft state and local officials to take on a job the federal government should do: police illegal immigration.

Yes, the illegal immigrant driving the truck that killed Mr. Gardner on July 16 should have been deported. But holes in North Carolina's justice system put many people with a record of drinking and driving behind the wheel again and again. No one will be safe on the roads until that problem is fixed.

In response to Mr. Gardner's death, Rep. Myrick has proposed a get-tough-on-immigrants federal bill she calls "The Scott Gardner Bill."

Some of her proposals have merit. Others simply create more problems.

A good idea: For example, North Carolina has an estimated 300,000 illegal immigrants. The closest immigration office is in Atlanta. It makes sense that North Carolina needs one, too.

A bad one: Rep. Myrick wants local police forces to play a bigger role in finding and deporting illegal immigrants. But enforcing immigration law should be a federal job. Expecting local law enforcement to do it leaves places like Charlotte deciding which streets to leave unguarded.

Congress could help. Glaring oversights in communication, record-keeping and enforcement among police and courts put Mr. Gallegos back on the road. Two issues stand out. Court officials did not know about his violations in other states because records aren't collected in a single national database. Prosecutors in North Carolina are also overwhelmed. In some counties, District Court prosecutors can handle 400 cases in a day.

The state has strengthened drunk driving laws and punishments, but there's a cost to enforcing them. Rep. Myrick could help. An example? Funding to upgrade court technology and maintain a nationwide records database.

We agree with Rep. Myrick's sentiment when she said: "You're drunk. You're driving. You're illegal. You're deported." But sentiment alone won't solve the problem. If our state's justice system doesn't get drunk drivers off the road -- illegal immigrants and citizens alike -- anyone could meet the fate Mr. Gardner did. If federal authorities don't enforce immigration laws, local officials don't have the resources to do it.

Rep. Myrick has responded to the anger all of us feel about the failed system that killed Scott Gardner. She would better serve constituents if she explained the real problems and used her office to advocate for resources to fix them.

Well, it won't solve the whole problem, that's for sure. But it will certainly keep some people alive. Why not???? Aren't Americans worth it??

America says YES. Americans are worthwhile too. A little respect for our safety and well-being might be nice for a change, huh??

And it you don't like it, there's two borders in this country. Feel free to cross either one What?!? You say you don't have proper documents to cross the borders?! Then you better watch out. The only time you can just cross over is inbound. Outbound you're gonna need documents. Other countries enforce immigration laws.

Time for America to pay a little attention to AMERICA, not Amerika!!!

Originally Posted by LegalUSCitizen

Well, it won't solve the whole problem, that's for sure. But it will certainly keep some people alive. Why not???? Aren't Americans worth it??

America says YES. Americans are worthwhile too. A little respect for our safety and well-being might be nice for a change, huh??

And it you don't like it, there's two borders in this country. Feel free to cross either one What?!? You say you don't have proper documents to cross the borders?! Then you better watch out. The only time you can just cross over is inbound. Outbound you're gonna need documents. Other countries enforce immigration laws.

Time for America to pay a little attention to AMERICA, not Amerika!!!

I agree with you :P

A bad one: Rep. Myrick wants local police forces to play a bigger role in finding and deporting illegal immigrants. But enforcing immigration law should be a federal job. Expecting local law enforcement to do it leaves places like Charlotte deciding which streets to leave unguarded.

And making excuses will not get anything done.

Well, I guess we know now why they ignored our press release on Wed about local police enforcing immigration law and the Zogby poll showing 81% of Americans support it.

W

State and Local Police CAN enforce immigration law and do in some states!
http://www.alipac.us/article-623-thread-1-0.html

I loath these "journalists" that criticize the suggestion that law enforcement, at state and local levels, be given the authority to enforce immigration law. "Thats the job of the Federal goverment" is their collective cry.

Where have these folks been for the last several years? On another planet? Dont they realize that what they are actually saying is: Better to do nothing, than something.

Consistant deportation of illegal aliens that continue to break our laws (after breaking the law to get here) is the MOST effective method of curbing this trend. Why? There is NOTHING illegals fear more than deportation!

That fear is fading...fast.