Nun's death sparks ICE changes


By Uriah Kiser
Published: September 13, 2010
MANASSAS, Va. --

Illegal immigrants who are now charged with an alcohol-related driving offense will be jailed without bond and possibly fast-tracked for deportation.

The U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE, released memos Monday noting that any known illegal immigrant charged with DUI -- or those who could be a threat to national security or to the community -- will be considered a priority one case, making that person immediately eligible to be held without bond and eligible for deportation.

"ICE's highest priorities are apprehending and removing convicted criminal aliens, aliens who pose a danger to the community and fugitive aliens. Aliens who are criminals, public safety threats and fugitives are a main focus for the agency. That includes aliens convicted of DUI, particularly those already ordered to leave the country," said ICE spokeswoman Cori W. Bassett.

The memos were released following a murder indictment this week for 23-year-old Carlos Martinelly Montano, an illegal immigrant charged in the drunken driving crash that killed a nun and injured two fellow sister. Sister Denise Mosier, 66, died in the Aug. 1 wreck on Bristow Road, not far from the Sisters of the Benedictine monastery where she lived and worked.

Two other sisters in the car with her – 75-year-old Charlotte Lange and 70-year-old Connie Ruth Lupton -- are recovering but are still in no condition to accept visitors, according to the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia.

Montano was not seriously injured. The crash marked his third drunken driving offense since October 2008.

The change in ICE policy will not affect the case Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Paul B. Ebert is building against Montano.

“[The change in policy] won’t mean anything to me…it’s a good policy because you have someone whose out there violating the law, and while doing so is violating another law by being illegal,â€