DEL.ICIO.USThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/28/08
A bill that would allow police to seize cars from illegal immigrants was approved by the House Thursday.
Bill sponsor Rep. James Mills (R-Gainesville) repeatedly told House members Thursday the measure would protect Georgia citizens from the "epidemic" of illegal immigration. "The state of Georgia's door is being kicked down," Mills said. Immigrants are coming from "Iraq, Iran, Irania, Jordan. We don't know where they're from," Mills said.
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The measure passed 104 to 51, and will move to the Senate for consideration.
The bill would allow police to seize any vehicle involved in a traffic violation or accident if it's driven by an illegal immigrant. That includes rented and leased vehicles if the owner knew, or should have known, the driver was an illegal immigrant. It also includes bank-owned cars if the interest-holder actually knew the driver was an illegal immigrant.
The bill prompted a healthy floor debate. Some legislators asked how police would be able to determine whether a driver was an illegal immigrant during a traffic stop. Some wondered if it would create an atmosphere for racial profiling of drivers who police think might be illegal immigrants. Rep. Bob Lane (R-Statesboro), who represents rural south Georgia, worried farmers would lose their vehicles if they lent them to workers who might be illegal.
"Would you have to go down to the police station and say, 'I didn't know this person was an illegal immigrant, and I lent him the car to go down to the store to get some grass seed?'" Lane asked.
The vehicle seizure would work much the same way as property seizures in drug cases. But under the bill, if the owner of the vehicle presents a sworn affidavit that he or she did not know the driver was an illegal immigrant, they would get their car back, Mills said.
The legislation is part of a package of about 10 Republican proposals introduced this legislative session aimed at discouraging illegal immigration in Georgia.
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- What should the U.S. do about the millions of illegal immigrants now living in this country? (06/30/2008)
- READERS RESPOND: Wallet closed until people here illegally go home (06/11/2008)
- Readers respond: Wallet closed until people here illegally go home (06/11/2008)
- Commission candidates focus on immigration (06/04/2008)
- Immigration key in Gwinnett commission race (06/03/2008)
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- Union panel calls attention to immigration raids (05/29/2008)
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- COUNTDOWN 2008: Primary ballots to carry extra questions from party (05/08/2008)
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Comments
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Sep 11, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
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By Maggie Martinez
Apr 26, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this
Representative James Mills is a Republican representing the people of Gainsville. As you can see his ignorances denotates that he doesn't know his constituents and how the demographic is changing in his district. I am asking Jerry Gonzales, (GALEO), Rep. Pedro Marin, and the hispanic community & organizations, to look close during this primaries and before May 2nd, 2008; a hispanic should run againts this "insensible clown payaso"; Rep. James Mills; and beat him-up at the polls. This is the only way the republicans will respect the Hispanic community. I am asking publicly to Governor Perdue to veto this bill (law). Wake-up people from Gainsville. !A La Lucha!
Maggie Martinez
By JERRY
Apr 14, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Cry all you want to george,it's about time that action was taken on illegal aliens,since our impotent government has failed miserably to do anything.Also, to all the legal hispanics whining about racial profiling,just don't break our driving laws and you won't get stopped.
By Gonzalo Díaz
Mar 14, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Georgia always spearheading tolerance, inclusiveness, compassion in the country.
Good job, Representative James "Irania" Mills!
Gonzalo Dıaz
By carmen
Mar 13, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Is this bill not say we want a recession please, as if banks aren't having enough time with forclosures now lets take the cars that they have financed.
As a hispanic women I almost can't wait for this law to be passed, I can only imagine how many times I will be pulled over because some racist cop we assume I'm illegal. But hey racial profilling is as american as apple pie!!
By George
Mar 3, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
I am so disappointed of AJC for evidently censuring the messages they donıt like. I posted a message on Saturday questioning the motive of Rep. Mills without insulting him but this media did not approve my message to be approved. This is what we are afraid of when the media is afraid to put the real facts out. Shame on you AJC!
By George
Mar 3, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
I am so disappointed of AJC for evidently censuring the messages they donıt like. I posted a message on Saturday questioning the motive of Rep. Mills without insulting him but this media did not approve my message to be approved. This is what we are afraid of when the media is afraid to put the real facts out. Shame on you AJC!
George
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