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Bill Would Seize Illegal Immigrants' Cars

POSTED: 3:46 pm EST February 13, 2008
UPDATED: 6:18 am EST February 14, 2008

Immigrant groups are pouncing on a bill that’s gaining steam at the state Capitol to allow the seizure of cars belonging to illegal immigrants.

On any given day in Georgia, thousands of illegal immigrants are driving on the roadways, many of them uninsured.

State Rep. James Mills said he wants to make all illegal immigrants think twice before getting behind the wheel.

“The front door and the back door of our nation has been kicked in,” Mills said. “It's time that we secure the house in Georgia.”

Mills’ bill would allow law enforcement officers to confiscate someone’s vehicle if that person cannot prove he or she is in the United States legally.

That would apply to illegal immigrants involved in car wrecks and those who have been pulled over for minor traffic violations.

Sarah Katz is a policy analyst for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. She wants to know how legal immigrants will be able to prove they’re legal on the side of the road.

“There's no ID that says I'm a U.S. citizen,” Katz said. “Even myself, I don't carry around my birth certificate. My driver's license is not an indicator of my legal status.”

“Georgia Legislature is out of control and they need to make sure that they reign in some of these xenophobic, racist legislators that are targeting the immigrant community specifically for these reasons,” said Jerry Gonzales, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials.

Mills said he stands by his legislation.

“They broke the law to get here,” Mills said. “They're breaking the law by driving on our roads with no driver's license. They're breaking the law by driving on our roads with no insurance. Our law abiding citizens are footing the bill.”

Under this bill, proceeds from the sale of confiscated cars will either go to the legal citizens injured in the crashes or the local government in which the car was pulled over on a traffic stop.

The bill is expected to have some intense debate when it comes up in a house committee early next week.

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