Thread: What about all the victims of illegal immigration? (op-ed)

What about all the victims of illegal immigration? (op-ed)
Published: Sunday
August 28, 2011, 7:05 AM
By From The Huntsville Times

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama _ As the father of Tad Mattle, killed along with his girlfriend in a horrific accident (murder) in Huntsville two years ago caused by the illegal immigrant Felix Ortega, I experienced first-hand results of unrestricted illegal immigration. Mr. Ortega was not just seeking a better life in the United States. He was a repeat offender with at least four DUIs, was wanted in at least four other states for both misdemeanors and felonies, had five different aliases, and was supposed to have been deported in 2001.

Because I support Alabama's HB 56 to enforce laws against illegal immigration, I have been accused of not being Christian. I cannot remain silent.

Where in Jesus Christ's teachings did he advocate flagrant violation of a nation's laws? How is violating immigration laws and flaunting it in front of those who followed the legal process Christ-like? The willingness of HB 56's detractors to overlook unfettered illegal immigration is just the sort of mindset that allows hardened criminals into our country.

I ask how Christian is it to allow evil men into our country to rob, maim and/or kill innocent, law-abiding citizens just to demonstrate your pious compassion? Where's the compassion for innocent victims?

Is it true Christianity to allow a felon into this country and kill two innocent children who were lawfully stopped at a traffic light? Is it truly compassionate to have my wife and I awakened at 12:30 a.m. by the police to inform us that our son is dead, just so we can allow illegal immigrants into the United States?

Where's the compassion for the police officer who tried to stop Ortega after he ran through a stop sign in front of his patrol car? And while I am asking , "Where's the compassion?,"I invite you to ask other victims, such as Officer Daniel Golden's widow and two children, if they are grateful for the compassion that allowed Benito Albarran into this country to murder her husband. There are thousands more victims, but they seem to be mere statistics.

I also ask where our society has not been compassionate to illegal immigrants? So far, they have received free medical care, food stamps, free education and the government has overlooked their violations of our laws. The convicted criminals get comfortable prisons and three meals a day. That's a much better deal than my son's grave in Maple Hill Cemetery. For two murder convictions, Felix Ortega will serve only 15 years. In Mexico, he would have been shot by the police on the scene.

Contrary to the detractors' belief, HB 56 is designed protect innocent Alabamians from having to experience what my family has gone through. A society has every right to determine who is allowed to be in that society. Judges and juries do that daily. Illegal immigrants have already demonstrated a willingness to disregard our laws and often ignore many other laws.

Although untrue, some ministers are worried that HB 56 will make them a criminal by performing their church duties such as administering the Sacrament to illegals or preaching to them. If you knowingly harbor illegal immigrants to prevent them from being detained or deported, you would be criminally liable, just as someone who knowingly harbors a wanted felon. If, however, you act as a good Samaritan and help someone in need by feeding them, clothing them or teaching them the Gospel, you need not fear the law. There are not going to be jack- booted thugs busting down doors.

As a volunteer EMS provider, I know I will not be prosecuted for helping an injured illegal immigrant. Our code, the law, and my Christian duty is to provide help without regard to race, religion, criminal status or citizenship status.

As for my Christianity, I have served throughout my adult life, and continue to serve, as a lay leader in my church's congregation in various capacities. My tithes and offerings support local and international charitable needs, including those in Latin American countries. I am a member of two local volunteer rescue squads, sacrificing many hours in training and rescues. I have donated many hours leading a scout troop and training adult scout leaders. Never have I encouraged anyone to break the law in those activities.

I am in the process of forgiving Mr. Ortega as my Savior commands, but the status of my forgiveness is irrelevant to the fact that our government, and those in opposition to HB 56, have allowed, even encouraged, criminals to freely enter our nation.

I have nothing against Hispanic people and have close friends who are Hispanic. If anyone wants to make the sacrifices to come here legally, I welcome them with open arms regardless of where they come from. Encouraging unrestricted illegal immigration, and the inevitable influx of criminals, however, is not the correct answer.



(Dan Mattle is the father of Tad Mattle, who was killed in a car accident by an intoxicated, undocumented immigrant.)

http://blog.al.com/times-views/2011/08/ ... ms_of.html

Look at all the DUI related deaths here! It's like some kind of badge of honor with these people!
http://www.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp

I can't believe there is not a lawyer chomping at the bit to sue the Federal government on behalf of this family and other citizens that have been killed or lost family memebers because the federal government allowed the killer/criminal to be here illegally and did not protect the citizens from them.

As the father of Tad Mattle, killed along with his girlfriend in a horrific accident (murder) in Huntsville two years ago caused by the illegal immigrant Felix Ortega, I experienced first-hand results of unrestricted illegal immigration. Mr. Ortega was not just seeking a better life in the United States. He was a repeat offender with at least four DUIs, was wanted in at least four other states for both misdemeanors and felonies, had five different aliases, and was supposed to have been deported in 2001.

Illegal invaders like Felix Ortega are not considered "dangerous" and will never be deported until they kill an American citizen. Then they might be deported. Does anyone trust this government to be the arbiters of a subjective term like "most dangerous,â€

Nobody gets deported----until they end up costing our justice systems hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Some posts to a dup can be read here: http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-248523.html

Move to NEW Section for "Americans Killed by Illegals."