Brewster arrest revives immigration, drunk driving debates

July

News that police in Brewster arrested a man for allegedly drunk driving and being in the country illegally has revived the contentious debates over immigration and drinking and driving.
Police arrested the man, who they say was driving a vehicle belonging to a construction company in Danbury, CT, after a woman reported the vehicle swerving all over Route 6.
Many are congratulating and thanking the motorist who called in the initial report, such as this reader.

Thumbs up to the woman who called this in. Just getting a drunk off the road is a good thing.

The allegations of drunk driving have people talking about what they see as ineffective enforcement of lax laws. Here’s what one reader had to say:

The main issue, and by far the worst one, is drunken driving. How many times do you read about the police stopping person after person, mothers driving with kids while drunk, etc. It is about lax laws and very liberal ideas on drunken driving. Where or how a person is in this country is secondary to the fact that there is a huge problem with drunk driving. Until the laws really have real punch to them, it will continue to be no matter who is drunk. Make drunk driving a real crime.

Mostly, though, readers are talking about fighting illegal immigration by cracking down on businesses and employers who don’t properly check their employees’ work status. One reader wrote:

We have to start heavily fining the companies that hire people who have illegal status. If this construction company was fined $1M, do you think they would take the risk and hire an illegal again? … It’s not fair to the foreigners who go through the entire process of becoming a legal employee.

Another added:

In addition to fining companies that hire illegals, how about we stop patronizing them?

Finally, one person summed up the situation this way:

The problem of illegal aliens crowding our cities and villages is so complex and so unpopular an issue that I believe nothing can or will be done. It is already too late. … It’s true they bring with them deep social issues that we are incapable of dealing with. That being said, Americans have practiced irresponsible drinking and drug taking for years, making the roads a tragic hazard for us all.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 11:51 am by Tracey Princiotta. | Email This Post

2 Responses to “Brewster arrest revives immigration, drunk driving debates”

Nancy July 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Illegal immigration is a huge issue in this country, and it’s creating a huge problem. Just look at California: the cost of educating, medical care, welfare costs and crime alone have broken the bank of the west coast. I have no problem with immigrants; my grandparents were immigrants, and my son’s father is an immigrant. The difference between them and the illegals, however, is that they all followed the laws; they entered this country legally. I am unwilling to support those whose first step into the United States is to break the law by entering the country illegally. I’m already supporting enough people who are citizens but who don’t pull their fair share: The mortgage fiasco now mandates—through the Stimulus Package—that I pick up the tab for those who took on mortgages they coulnd’t afford. You can’t read the fine print? Get a lawyer to go over the paper work so you don’t feel victimized. Enough is enough. I paid my mortgage; I have no credit card debt; I live responsibly. For my efforts I get to support those for whom a responsible lifestyle is too much to ask. Illegal immigrants only add to my financial burden, and I’m pretty much sick of it.
Colour1 July 12th, 2009 at 5:37 am
How is it that these people get arrested and we feed them and release them back on our streets??? “WTF” is that??? Has no one ever been to Elis Island??? Has no one seen what our grand parents went through to become a citizen of this great nation?? When I tell you of the deplorable conditions that they had to endure you would not believe it! I cried when I found my grand fathers arrival dated 1912.
We have to pack these people up every 2 to 3 months and ship them back, bar-code them if we have to that they never return again!!!

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