Undocumented aliens create dilemma
Frank Denzler

For the second time in two weeks deputies from the Rush County Sheriff’s Department stopped a motorist only to find they were at a disadvantage with regards to limited legal options.

The most recent event unfolded early Thursday when shortly after 6 a.m. Capt. Mark Click of the RCSD clocked a vehicle south of Rushville driving nearly 15 miles over the legal speed limit.

According to Click, the driver and his occupant were both undocumented Hispanic males in the country illegally. To compound matters, the individual behind the wheel of the speeding vehicle had no identification in his possession and was not a licensed motorist. As if that was not enough, the vehicle was registered to a third individual; it was later learned that the vehicle owner was out of the country.

The vehicle was being driven with no insurance. The driver spoke no English and the deputy very limited Spanish.

After citing and arresting the driver, and impounding and towing the car to the city lot, Click uncovered additional problems.

“I called the Bureau of Immigration and Natural Services (INS) and was dismayed when I was told to release the individual after their day in court and that they were not going to deport the individual or anything,� Click said.

The deputy went on to say that he was further informed by an agent of the INS that unless the undocumented individual had committed a violent crime, rarely are any major charges filed or are deportations initiated.

“I really found it hard to believe, that an undocumented driver with no driver’s license and no insurance was behind the wheel of a car. Aside from citing the individual there was little more that I could do. Heaven forbid there be a serious accident with injuries or even a death. Remaining family members of the survivors or injured would have no recourse or a means to gain anything. It would be a loss compounded by further loss,� Click said.

Inquiries to the INS office and the Department of Homeland Security in Indianapolis by the Rushville Republican could not be answered by the agent and were rerouted to a media office in Chicago. Our call was not returned.

According to Click, once a vehicle is impounded by law enforcement officers only the legally registered owner may retrieve it. In the most recent case the vehicle will remain impounded until the registered owner, in person, provides proof of financial responsibility to the RCSD and pays all towing and storage fees.



Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@cnhimedia.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Website at www.rushvillerepublican.com.

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