Vote set on unlicensed-driver bill
Measure aimed at illegal immigrants to be on Aug. ballot
By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published May 19, 2008 at 9 p.m.
Denver residents this summer will get to vote on a measure, aimed at illegal immigrants, that would allow authorities to impound the vehicles of unlicensed drivers.
The Denver City Council voted 8 to 2 to put the initiative on the Aug. 12 ballot.
The two council members who voted against the ordinance were Judy Montero and Paul Lopez.
"This would unfairly target one group of people in the city," said Montero. "Just because a law is passed doesn't make it morally right."
Council Bill 239 would require that unlicensed drivers, including undocumented workers, have their vehicles impounded by the city unless they meet certain requirements. If they have a foreign driver's license, they would have to provide proof that they are legally in the country.
If they do not have such proof, the vehicle's owner would be notified and must provide proof within 30 days that the driver is not an undocumented worker or the vehicle would be impounded.
The initiative also would add a $2,500 bond requirement for the release of the impounded vehicles.
Lopez also spoke out against the ordinance. "It's a scary and deceptive way to legalize racial profiling," he said.
Montero and her husband live in the home of former Colorado Gov. Ralph Carr, who was opposed to the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.
"I wonder how Gov. Carr found the courage to stand up when everyone was sitting down," she said, noting that Carr would later lose his bid for a seat on the U.S. Senate because of his position.
"I think it's time to learn from lessons from the past."
Councilwoman Jeanne Faatz said Carr was speaking out on behalf of American citizens, but the proposed initiative is going after a different group of people. "These are people who are here in this country illegally and driving illegally," she said.
She said that, unlike some of her colleagues who are voting in favor of putting the initiative on the ballot only because of the council's administrative function to do so, she supports the measure.
"The purpose is to get unlicensed drivers off the road," she said.
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May 20, 2008
4:47 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Neither is living in a country where you do not belong.Also it is against the law to drive without a license or i.d. Would like to point out the factor f they have no license they usually have no insurance.Lets point out how these people are like a leech upon society sucking the life out of everything they come in contact with.I was hit by a illegal alien no insurance.Guess what she got out of the car and ran away.Then her family put her on a bus back to mexico. I got my car totaled and my insurance doubled from making the claim.Then to top it all off.My insurance company denied my claim and I got no money to help me replace my car.So I had to work a year riding a bike to work.So tell me what is fair when they won't obey the law.Clean up America sweep this scum back to the gutter we call mexico.If you don't belong here then go back and stop destroying our country.
May 20, 2008
6:04 a.m.
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jason45 writes:
Illegals have no respect for our laws...... Impound their cars, with or without a license.......
May 20, 2008
6:22 a.m.
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youngman writes:
I think the city can make a lot of money by doing this...just like parking tickets...and the Denver Boot....it will make people think twice if they might lose their car when they have no license or insurance..which is a good thing...having a car is a privledge..not a right
May 20, 2008
7 a.m.
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roger44 writes:
You could "spin" any law and say it's targeting illegals. And to compare the internment of Japanese to this law is a far reach for sure. Don't let these activists lay a guilt trip on the public, pass the law, it will be applied to all who drive illegally. And hopefully bring down the cost of my insurance. These people were elected to do a job, let them do it.
May 20, 2008
9:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
CWW writes:
Am I reading this correctly? It says that if someone is stopped they have 30 days to prove they are a legal driver? Does that mean they get to drive away from a traffic stop and then supposed to let the city know later? If so, the driver and car will be long-gone before 30 days.
Could anyone clarify?
May 20, 2008
9:55 a.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Vote YES!
May 20, 2008
9:59 a.m.
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viking2boot writes:
Why is it that politicians won't let racism die?
The purpose is to get unlicensed drivers off the road.
Judy Montero and Paul Lopez must be second rate council members if they think they need votes that badly that they want to jeopardize the public’s safety.
Paul Lopez said "It's a scary and deceptive way to legalize racial profiling," liking it to the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. He isn't even comparing apples to apples. Again, the purpose is to get unlicensed drivers off the road regardless of race. How does a kindergarten drop out get a seat on the council?
Let's do away with racism. When you’ve run out of meaningful words to say SHUT_UP , don't holler racism when it has nothing to do with it!
May 20, 2008
10:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
The_Punnisher writes:
Note the SURNAMES of the complaining council members.
The two support MEXICO, not the USofA citizens. Time to boot them outta here..
May 20, 2008
10:42 a.m.
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alwaysright writes:
Thats shameful to harras illeagals.
I thought that you had to be a citizen to have laws pertain to you.
So does this mean we have now to share that right with every one else.
May 20, 2008
11:20 a.m.
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Woogford writes:
I can't believe the Denver City Council is targeting Canadians like that...eh!
May 20, 2008
2:29 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Hey Ricky
I agree with you,why should you get a break if you don't obey the laws.If you have the laws they will move on to a community that doesn't.So as far as I am concerned if your first loyalty is to a foreign government.Then your butt needs to go back to mexico where they will treat you accordingly.If it was so great there.Then why are they trying to take over our country and destroy it.Go home america is closed for repairs.There is no more room at the inn for your people.They are a illegal invading army.Get rid of them before it is to late.
May 20, 2008
2:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
chief writes:
"This would unfairly target one group of people in the city," said Montero. "Just because a law is passed doesn't make it morally right."
WTF: get over yourselves...this law would impound the vehicles of all unlicensed drivers. Hey while we're at it, impound the cars of uninsured drivers.
May 20, 2008
2:36 p.m.
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chief writes:
Nice sub-title...
May 20, 2008
4:12 p.m.
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Elwood writes:
Any chance we can get the state legislature to approve this law for all of Colorado as well?
May 20, 2008
6:34 p.m.
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alwaysright writes:
Free thought. is that not what I said ? DAAAAA
May 20, 2008
8 p.m.
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Houstongolfnut writes:
It looks like the ILLEGAL ALIEN population is reaching critical mass around here and people are finally taking notice. About time. Cars are impounded from people of all races for lots of reasons. All of those reasons involve illegal activity. So deal with it. Find a state where they welcome people who drive without a license to do so.
May 20, 2008
8:45 p.m.
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davidyorke writes:
Frankly, I'm much more concerned about impounding cars of people who have had their licenses revoked who are still driving. They have proved that they can't be trusted to behave properly on the public right-of-way (e.g.: DUI) AND that they can't be trusted to accept their sanction for that bad behavior. If someone lends a car to an unlicensed driver their car should be impounded, and they should be cited for it and pay a fine. Multiple offenses should be penalized with forfeiture of the vehicle.
I think this a reasonable sanction short of throwing them in jail (with free meals and a bed). Especially within Denver, where we have other options for necessary transportation.
Regarding unauthorized foreigners, I don't know why Denver PD can't hold someone they find without proper documentation of legal status in the country until ICE can figure it out and clear them or begin deportation proceedings. I think that someone with NO driver's license or identification should be held until their identity could be ascertained (what if they have outstanding warrants?). If someone has a foreign DL and no other documentation, I should think that's a legitimate enough reason to take them into custody.