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.