Organize the South

Glenn Richardson's stupid idea seems to be losing steam. Fortunately, the Georgia legislature has plenty of stupid to go around. Rep. James Mills has a great idea that will allow law enforcement to take your stuff unless you can prove they shouldn't. Of course, Mills aims his bill at "illegal immigrants" so its fine. The premise of the bill, missed in this piece on CBS 46 website, is that it's OK for the state to take property if the person cannot prove the state doesn't have a right to take property. Remember the brouhaha about eminent domain? Same meat, different gravy. But remember, it's only "illegal immigrants" so the destruction of basic freedom is OK.

One side note: Mills has a quote in the article below about "illegals" who broke the law to get here. Can someone please tell me what law was broken? As far as I can tell, undocumented people haven't broken a law but have failed to fill out paperwork.

Bill Would Seize Illegal Immigrants' Cars
http://www.cbs46.com/news/15293675/detail.html
POSTED: 3:46 pm EST February 13, 2008
UPDATED: 6:18 am EST February 14, 2008

ATLANTA -- Immigrant groups are pouncing on a bill that’s gaining steam at the state Capitol to allow the seizure of cars belonging to illegal immigrants.

On any given day in Georgia, thousands of illegal immigrants are driving on the roadways, many of them uninsured.

State Rep. James Mills said he wants to make all illegal immigrants think twice before getting behind the wheel.

“The front door and the back door of our nation has been kicked in,” Mills said. “It's time that we secure the house in Georgia.”

Mills’ bill would allow law enforcement officers to confiscate someone’s vehicle if that person cannot prove he or she is in the United States legally.

That would apply to illegal immigrants involved in car wrecks and those who have been pulled over for minor traffic violations.

Sarah Katz is a policy analyst for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. She wants to know how legal immigrants will be able to prove they’re legal on the side of the road.

“There's no ID that says I'm a U.S. citizen,” Katz said. “Even myself, I don't carry around my birth certificate. My driver's license is not an indicator of my legal status.”

“Georgia Legislature is out of control and they need to make sure that they reign in some of these xenophobic, racist legislators that are targeting the immigrant community specifically for these reasons,” said Jerry Gonzales, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials.

Mills said he stands by his legislation.

“They broke the law to get here,” Mills said. “They're breaking the law by driving on our roads with no driver's license. They're breaking the law by driving on our roads with no insurance. Our law abiding citizens are footing the bill.”

Under this bill, proceeds from the sale of confiscated cars will either go to the legal citizens injured in the crashes or the local government in which the car was pulled over on a traffic stop.