County and city leaders battle illegal immigration issue

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - Since Friday's deadly accident that may have involved an illegal immigrant, the topic has once again become a talker. Many want to know what, if anything, can be done to stop it.

Illegal imigration is a problem, especially for law enforcement. There aren't enough trained officers to deal with a growing Hispanic population. That's why city and county leaders are fighting for change.

Felix Ortega was charged with murder in the deaths of two teens who died in a fiery car crash Friday night on Airport Road. Nearly a week later, Huntsville Police still have not addressed his citizenship status.

City leaders are frustrated over the lack of manpower to handle the growing immigration issue.

"Our immigration enforcement comes through two ICE employees. They are Immigration and Customs Enforcement," said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

Battle is headed to Washington next week to ask for more officers. Madison County leaders are even considering turning one floor of the new jail into a detaining area to hold illegal immigrants until they can be deported.

"I think it's bad. I think if they are going to be here they need to become citizens," said Heather Balentine.

"Immigration officials aren't doing their job. They are plain not doing it. Ignoring it," said Matt Matson.

City and county leaders aren't turning a deaf ear. Since Friday's crash, they are fighting even harder to have changes made. But leaders said it's tough to enforce laws that aren't on the books.

"If we had laws with respect to illegal aliens that would do what needs to be done and it's possible to do that, we need the laws there most of the teens who had their lives in front of them would be alive today," said Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks.

Huntsville police officials said Ortega is known by at least three other aliases. WAFF 48 News ran a check of those names and found previous criminal charges.

Stunning Twist: Murder Suspect Assisted Victim's Mother - April 23, 2009 - Less than one week after 19 year-old Tad Mattle and 16 year-old Leigh Anna Jimmerson were killed in a horrific car wreck, WHNT News 19 has learned of a connection between the suspect and Jimmerson's mother. WHNT has confirmed that Jimmerson's mom Ellin Jimmerson was working on a documentary film on illegal immigration, and that one of the translators who was hired to help convert interviews from Spanish to English was the suspect, Felix Ortega.

"I don't have any words for it....it's the height of irony," said Rev. Jana Williams, a minister at Weatherly Heights Baptist Church who has assisted Ellin Jimmerson on the film. "I had to hear it two or three times before it really sunk in, and I just couldn't believe (it). I'm still in disbelief. But it has most definitely not changed her beliefs and her call to minister to this population." Jimmerson's film is titled "Desconocida", a Spanish phrase referring to bones found in the desert belonging to unidentified illegal immigrants. Williams says Jimmerson's idea for the film came after a trip to the Mexican border a few years ago, when her daughter was still alive. The film is reportedly being narrated by actor Martin Sheen. Ellin Jimmerson issued a brief statement on the public's response to her daughter's death. In part it reads: "Three families suffered irreparable damage on Friday night- the Jimmersons, the Mattles and the Ortegas. The damage reverberated across a city. Entire communities are devastated. But no amount of vindictiveness dressed up as calls for justice will undo our suffering...Instead of giving in to hostility and vindictiveness we choose love and redemption."

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.