Lawmaker Wants Tougher Laws on Illegal Immigrants Convicted of DWIs

Charlotte, N.C. — A Charlotte congresswoman re-introduced a bill Monday that would require illegal immigrants convicted of a DWI to be automatically deported.

Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., held a news conference Monday afternoon, announcing her intentions to push for the legislation, named the Scott Gardner Act.

Gardner was a Gaston County teacher killed by an illegal immigrant who authorities said was driving drunk.

"My son, Scott, was killed by an illegal national that had been deported from this country twice before," said Gardner's mother, Emily Moose, who accompanied Myrick for her announcement. "And he had been charged with his sixth DUI,"

At least four people locally have been killed in similar accidents.

Myrick first introduced the Scott Gardner Act in 2005. It passed in the House of Representatives as an amendment to a larger immigration bill. The U.S. Senate, however, never took up the bill.

Myric successfully pushed to give some Mecklenburg County deputies the power to handle immigration cases. That program started in May.

Gardner's wife was also seriously injured in the crash. She is still in a vegetative state.

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Latest Comments

And this has been going on for How LONG ?????? Somethings gotta give and it should not have to be US

fairyswearboots2
March 7, 2007 8:38 p.m.

I think that Rep. Myrick has lost sight of the problem. The problem is DWI, not ilegal imigrants. A drunk driver can kill some one just as easily if he/she is an ilegal imigras as if he/she is not. Any legislation introduced should deal with DWI, not DWI by ilegal imigrants.I think that Rep. Myrick has lost sight of the problem. The problem is DWI, not illegal immigrants. A drunk driver can kill some one just as easily if he/she is an illegal immigrant as if he/she is not. Any legislation introduced should deal with DWI, not DWI by illegal immigrants.

I agree with patriot4liberty -at- yahoo -dot- com that treatment options should be available, but they should be mandatory. If a person convicted of DWI does not go for treatment, put him/her in jail!!!

I agree with patriot4liberty -at- yahoo -dot- com that tratment oprions should be available, but they should be mandatory. If a person convinted of DWI does not go for tearment, put him/her in jail!!!

andyrey
March 6, 2007 12:33 p.m.

First thing that needs to be done is the ability to verify if they have a license is that if it was properly issued, and if not charge them for not being properly licensed, and fraud in getting the license.

Second is a sentencing enhancement for being convicted of a crime while being here illegally.

Third is automatic deportation.

Fourth is automatically being held without bond, and mandatory prison time for returning after deportation, then deportation again.

If they know they won't have any money to send back, and that they will go to jail, they will not come back.

anonemoose
March 6, 2007 12:30 p.m.

To WesleyanGrad = ya want to know what would happen if an illegals family member was killed by a drunk driver - I can tell you - they would sue and they would WIN!! I see it too much in my profession - illegals getting everything handed to them. Did you know that at a bank won't say the name but- they have set it up so the illegals do not have to have a SS# in order to get an account there? What would happen if a legal american tried that??!! I do feel that everyone should be punished for drinking and driving - they can't get the help if they don't want it - and it usually takes killing someone or order for them to realize that they have a problem - even then it is few and far between

sicntired
March 6, 2007 11:50 a.m.

All drunk driver's should be punished. Whether they are white, hispanic, asian, etc. We are all created equal. There is to much prejudice going on. No one race is better than the other. I'm white, and I am not racist.

cmendez
March 6, 2007 11:45 a.m.