Hispanics blast impounding of vehicles in L.A.

EFE ^ | August 22, 2003 | Rocio Ayuso.

[sarcasm]

Los Angeles, U.S., August 22, 2003 (EFE).- Hispanics in the South L.A. municipality of Maywood are angry at what they say is a discriminatory campaign in which police are stopping Latinos and impounding the vehicles of those without a driver's license.

"We're not talking about agents of law and order but of official corruption, as though this were Latin America," an irate Felipe Aguirre of the Comite Pro Uno, an activist group organizing protests against the practice, told EFE.

In the last 12 months, more than 1,800 vehicles have been impounded from members of the Hispanic community in a town of some 40,000 inhabitants.

Although the underlying reason for the regulation is road safety, the Comite Pro Uno, supported by the nationwide League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, allege the manner of enforcement in Maywood has made it a new form of racial discrimination.

"They're taking it out on the immigrant community," said Aguirre, after pointing out that the number of vehicles impounded in the community exceeded the total for the rest of the state of California.

The cars were impounded after their drivers could not produce a valid license. Latino activists say seizure of the vehicle is a drastic measure.

The vast majority of undocumented immigrants do not have a driver's license, because documentation is required in order to obtain one. The California state legislature is currently debating a bill that would allow many illegal immigrants to get a license.

Maywood is "99.9 percent Hispanic," as attested by the fact that even the council members are Latino, but the traffic cops are "all white," Aguirre said.

The activist alleges, however, that the problem is not only another instance of racial discrimination.

According to Aguirre, the massive impounding of vehicles in the Hispanic community is aimed at fattening the municipal coffers with easy money obtained from the most needy, whose cars are usually worth less than the fines that must be paid to get them back.

Such was the case with Yolanda and Paolo, a Mexican couple who in the last three months have had their Dodge Shadow - which cost $1,000 - impounded twice, and had to pay $656 each time to get it released.

"It's clear we need to resolve the problem of people driving without licenses in California, but to use traffic laws to seize the property of undocumented immigrants is not the solution," said LULAC president Hector Flores.

This situation should be debated in the state legislature, said Aguirre, who expressed hope that amid the turmoil California is presently experiencing the effort to recall Gov. Gray Davis, the embattled incumbent would see fit to authorize the state to issue licenses to illegal immigrants.

[friendly]

"It's clear we need to resolve the problem of people driving without licenses in California, but to use traffic laws to seize the property of undocumented immigrants is not the solution," said LULAC president Hector Flores.

"Undocumented immigrants" = Invasion Force

[Caipirabob]

Wow, this is a GREAT POLICY!

They should do the same with the UNINSURED!

Seriously, think about how many crimes and life-altering accident could be stopped. I would suggest this be implemented as nation-wide policy by the states.

[grania]

"They're taking it out on the immigrant community," said Aguirre, after pointing out that the number of vehicles impounded in the community exceeded the total for the rest of the state of California.

Geesh...there's a community in California where there are that many Latinos who can't get driver's licenses? What a great place for the government to start when (if) we convince politicians to kick illegals out of the US for good.

The cars were impounded after their drivers could not produce a valid license. Latino activists say seizure of the vehicle is a drastic measure.

What is drastic about impounding cars driven by those without licenses? If they don't want these cars impounded, they should impound the people.

Are these people from Mexico, or from outer space? They have absolutely no regard for US laws. They think they should have rights when they are here illegally. Their only "right" should be to a humane form of transportation back to their native lands, paid for by those who knowingly hire them.

WAKE UP AMERICA !!

[goldstategop]

We musn't impound cars belonging to illegal aliens; we must also give them drivers' licenses. Way to go, California!!!

[Cvengr]

I wonder how much it costs when one of these 'undocumented immigrants' happens to get involved in an auto accident and then disappears. I suspect the under $700 cost is marginal compared to the costs the rest of society is forced to pay.

Seems to me that the easiest resolution is for the driver to simply become documented and obtain a driver's license before they drive.

Funny how the rest of us had to get a license before we ever considered driving in public, but this is actually now being rejected rotely.

Watch the issue. Grey Davis is making a push to pass a law that allows undocumented immigrants (referred more colloquially as illegal aliens) to recieve driver's licenses without being citizens in order to swing the elections. The driver's license has already been declared to be the only form of ID requisite to vote in CA.

The Democrats in California are trying to create a new power base from illegal aliens. This effort also allows the socialists to establish home bases for illegal activities south of the border and then pursueing to have their interests empowered in the US without being muzzled by democratic representation of the American public.

They are spoiled with power. When the people are throwing them out of office, they are now seeking to bring in foreigners to maintain their power. Today's Democratic Party is far from being democratic.

[lainde]

And this is a problem WHY? Maybe if we sell the cars we could make a dent in that deficit!

[Glenn]

but to use traffic laws to seize the property of undocumented immigrants is not the solution

They aren't illegal aliens. Merely undocumented immigrants. See? So leave them alone.

[sarcasm]

If they don't want these cars impounded, they should impound the people.

The vehicles should be impounded and the drivers turned over to the INS - or whatever they're calling it these days.

[SauronOfMordor]

And this is a problem WHY? Maybe if we sell the cars we could make a dent in that deficit!

Actually, since the cars in question are mostly old ones that probably spew smoke out their tailpipes, it would make more sense to strip them down for parts and take them off the road entirely.

[SauronOfMordor]

They should do the same with the UNINSURED!

And it would be even easier. Just go down the street with a hand-held pc containing the license #'s of all cars with insurance, and tow all cars that are not on the list.

This would net most of the cars on the street in some neighborhoods, IMHO

[Caipirabob]

In addition, I think about the cost of insurance justified by the fact we are compelled to subsidize the uninsured via our own policies.

Yeah, we probably wouldn't see a discount, but perhaps we might see some relief if there are no further accidents involving the uninsured due the lack of any on the roads.

I can dream, but this all makes too much sense. We may never see it in our lifetimes...

[AppyPappy]

I guess it's too much to ask for people to obey the law.

[Regulator]

They seize the property of Americans who are caught with an ounce of marijuana. We're supposed to feel bad that illegal aliens have their cars impounded?

BTW, in California, this policy has nothing to do with whether you're in the country illegally or not (although it should). It's SOP if they stop you and you don't have a license.

[MarkL]

They're leaving out the important third step...

Step 1) Stop the vehicle, if it's in violation of a code

Step 2) Check for a drivers license. If the driver doesn't have one, impound the vehicle

Step 3) Check the identity of the driver. If the drive is an illegal alien, deport him or her.

Mark

[Marauder]

Their only "right" should be ... transportation back to their native lands, paid for by those who knowingly hire them.

Bulls-eye!

[Kozak]

They should do the same with the UNINSURED!

How much you want to bet that the two groups are 99% congruent? someone who can't be bothered to get a drivers license is NOT going to bother with insurance either. Having lived in California I had a number of friends who had the "pleasure" of being hit by some illegal with no insurance, several watched as the car was abandoned as the other driver took off and fled the scene.

[Kozak]

Are these people from Mexico, or from outer space? They have absolutely no regard for US laws.

Why should THEY have any regard for laws which our own Federal, State and local communities ignore from the moment these invaders enter the US?

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

"We're not talking about agents of law and order but of official corruption,as though this were Latin America," an irate Felipe Aguirre of the Comite Pro Uno.."

Los Angeles IS Latin America, thanks to illegal immigration!

[raybbr]

We're not talking about agents of law and order but of official corruption, as though this were Latin America,"...

He knows what he's talking about. Just look at the way Kalifornia is run.