Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
Drunk driving, street racing, and vehicular manslaughter. These charges could change the course of an American citizen’s life. But for an illegal immigrant in the United States, they’re just words equivalent to a slap on the wrist.
Take Honduran Edwin Mejia for example, who came into the United States illegally, drove drunk, and killed a 21-year old woman. The consequence? He simply posted bond, skipped a court appearance, and disappeared.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Sarah Saldana said neither Obama administration policy nor federal law required her agency to detain Edwin Mejia, who arrived in the U.S. illegally as part of the surge of unaccompanied children from Central America, after he was charged with vehicular homicide in Nebraska…. Mr. Mejia stands accused of a drunken-driving accident this year that killed a young Iowa woman in Omaha — but federal immigration agents never showed up to collect him. After he posted bond with local authorities, he absconded.
… In January, police say, Mr. Mejia was street racing while drunk when he struck the vehicle driven by Sarah Root, 21. She died as a result of her injuries. Mr. Mejia posted bond on the homicide charge, and ICE officers did not come pick him up for detention, allowing him to disappear into the shadows.
…Ms. Saldana, in her letter to Mr. Sasse, said being charged with vehicular homicide wasn’t enough to make Mr. Mejia a priority under standards set by Mr. Obama and Mr. Johnson in 2014. In fact, even if he were convicted of the charge, ICE still wouldn’t have to hold him, Ms. Saldana said.
“Even if he were convicted of the offense, motor vehicle homicide — driving under the influence, the conviction would not constitute a crime of violence under the immigration laws, and consequently, would not constitute an aggravated felony,” she wrote. “The conviction would not render him subject to mandatory detention, nor would it significantly impact his eligibility to apply for relief or protection from removal.”
How is it possible that vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol, on TOP of being in the country illegally, does not constitute a violent crime or a felony under immigration law?
In the Obama Administration, those playing by the rules get punished while those who break the law get some sort of morally backwards immunity deal.
The Douglas County Police Department even requested an immigration hold on Mejia, and it was denied. I don’t care what excuses ICE has, this should be considered aiding and abetting a fugitive.
