Mercedes manager from Germany arrested on Alabama immigration charge

AP ^ | November 18th, 2011 | staff reporter

[Daffynition]

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A German manager with Mercedes-Benz is free after being arrested for not having a driver’s license with him under Alabama’s new law targeting illegal immigrants, authorities said Friday, in an otherwise routine case that drew the attention of Gov. Robert Bentley.

Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steven Anderson told The Associated Press an officer stopped a rental vehicle for not having a tag Wednesday night and asked the driver for his license. The man only had a German identification card, so he was arrested and taken to police headquarters, Anderson said.

[Joe 6-pack]

"By the end of 2012, and as the agricultural market in Alabama lays in a mess because they needed manpower but could never find an adequate source..."

Unemployment is at 0% in Alabama?

[Daffynition]

Thoughtful post. Thank you. Appears this is a case of *be careful what you wish for.*

[Daffynition]

[BobL]

“It is too burdensome, perhaps, to carry papers. What if someone is going for a jog? Alabama has made a choice. Wealthy immigrants likely do not find that choice pleasing. It is usually not in a State’s interest to hassle wealthy immigrants as they often provide jobs for Americans.”

If someone is going for a jog, they can do it without breaking other laws. This arrogant clown didn’t see a need for having a license plate. What the heck do you think would happen to me if I was in Germany trying that stunt and got pulled over by their police without ID? And yes, in virtually EVERY other country in the world, the local police DO ENFORCE immigration laws.

Look, I live in Texas, I have to deal with the results of living in an OPEN BORDERS state every day. It’s now getting to the point where Spanish is written more prominent than English on some merchandise (mainly home building stuff). I have to actually look search for the English label. Only a few years ago, most things I bought kept the Spanish labeling under control - now I suspect that two thirds of the buyers don’t even speak English.

I cannot blame Alabama for wanting to get some control over the issue before it overwhelms them.

[Daffynition]

>>officer stopped a rental vehicle for not having a tag<<

No matter what state you’re in...driving a car without a tag is looking for trouble. What rental company releases a car with no tag?

[Roccus]

Maybe it was a dealer “loaner” that someone, now a FORMER employee, forgot to put the “DLR” plate on.

[impimp]

I see your point. As I am an immigrant I know that from time to time I couldn’t find my papers. Not a big deal, I guess, except if I got detained while I was with my kids and they were to get handed over to the state while I sorted my papers out.

I think that somehow tying the immigration status to the state issued ID or drivers license might work well. If someone is missing their papers then the police could just pull up the information on the computer in the patrol car. If this can be done without it being an expensive boondoggle then it would be a good idea possibly.

[Tazlo]

Whenever I’m in Germany, I have my papers with me at all times.

[BobL]

“I think that somehow tying the immigration status to the state issued ID or drivers license might work well. If someone is missing their papers then the police could just pull up the information on the computer in the patrol car. If this can be done without it being an expensive boondoggle then it would be a good idea possibly.”

EXACTLY!!! Sensible answers. I thought the same thing a while ago when an otherwise VERY conservative Hispanic co-worker flipped out over Arizona’s law - as he was afraid of being detained walking around the block or something. It seemed reasonable that there should be a way he goes to DMV, shows his papers, and gets a little block checked off on his driver license. Then he gets stopped walking around the block without ID, the cop punches in his name and address...looks at his picture on the computer, verifies his legality (along with no warrants), and tells him to have a nice day. In fact we should all do that.

We do have options and don’t HAVE to choose between being a police state or turning into a Rick Perry wet dream when it comes to immigration.

[bert]

My nephew works for BMW in SC and goes to Germany with his entire family for 18 months or so at a time. The transference of technology requires transference of people as well. That is, the need to move people about is a two way street.

The arrest was obviously made to allow the courts to sort out the wheat from the chaff

[PeterPrinciple]

It is usually not in a State’s interest to hassle wealthy immigrants as they often provide jobs for Americans.

---

sounds good when you first think about it but most often wealthy immigrants just buy an existing business, so does it really create jobs?

[impimp]

If you understand finance the answer is yes - if you do not then the answe is no.

[blam]

"The arrest was obviously made to allow the courts to sort out the wheat from the chaff "

Ha, ha. It crossed my mind...even arranged, what with the ' loud noises' being made about the strict Alabama immigration laws that have Hispantic/Latino law-breakers fleeing the state.

[blam]

"sounds good when you first think about it but most often wealthy immigrants just buy an existing business, so does it really create jobs? "

I recently saw articles from Germany where Germans complained about their good, high paying jobs were being shipped to Alabama.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Production Moving To Alabama

Alabama is a 'right-to-work' state.

[PeterPrinciple]

If you understand finance the answer is yes - if you do not then the answer is no.

---

In that same light, growth in government as well as growth in finance create “jobs”. Obama is right in his job creation plan.

For me jobs and wealth are related. Adam Smith in the Wealth of Nations, understood this. In his view, govt, lawyers and finance were needed in limited quantities, they did not create wealth but simply moved it around. In most cases they STOPPED the creation of wealth and jobs, but they were very good at creating a lot of activity.

[TennesseeGirl]

I don't know what the laws are in Alabama, but in TN "non-US citizens and who, in connection, with their employment in managerial or technical positions in TN may operate vehicles with a valid driver's license issued by another state, country, or international body for a period of six months. These individuals must apply for a Tennessee driver's license at the end of six months".

I assume AL has similiar laws. If the German was here for less than 6 months, he should be carrying his German driver's license on him. If he's been here more than 6 months, he should have acquired a TN license. This article was slanted and lacked pertinent information such as the length of time he's been here. I noticed, however, he DOES have a German driver's license that was left behind in the hotel. He should have had it on him when driving and this whole thing could have been averted. These foreign corporations DO school their executives on local customs and laws. The officer was right.

If this was picked up by the Times in Chattanooga, I'll bet he works at the Volkswagon plant in TN.

[lonestar]

I believe the Mexicans “way back when,” heard the occordians brought into Texas by Germans around New Braunfels and that is where Tejano music started.

[PeterPrinciple]

there are exceptions and this may be one of them. the federal government and state economic development encourage (think tax incentives) wealth immigrants to come here if they invest money. MOST buy existing businesses. Did we actually gain anything in the process? .

[impimp]

I don’t Adam Smith knew anywhere near as much as I know right now, if what you say about his attitude toward finance is true. It is finance that takes the role of the central planner in a capitalist economy. It is finance which allows government to be small and limited.

Regardless you are changing the subject - a foreigner buys a struggling business and makes it profitable and it grows. Voila - you have an immigrant creating jobs for Americans.

[Mike Darancette]

...the company will think long and hard about any expansion in the state

BS. The company will do that which brings most profit. I don't see them moving business to a pro-union Pro-illegal immigrant state like Kailfornia because one of their employees is a jackass.