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It's time to crack down on illegal immigration
By Jim Foley
Posted on Sun, Jan. 29, 2006

On Dec. 13, my letter was published concerning my daughter's auto accident involving an illegal immigrant. I encouraged the news media and the public to speak out about this epidemic that is invading our area. I am not suggesting that all illegal immigrants are bad people, but they are illegal and must enter our country as our ancestors did, by legal channels.

I thought I would see a large public response. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Do you need to have one that you love die before you speak up or do something to fix the problem?

I started out by going to the court hearing for the individual involved in my daughter's accident. Guess what? He didn't show up and forfeited his bond of $258.

The judge allowed me to address the court about my anger at the system, specifically the U.S. immigration service's failure to uphold the law.

I am a newly retired police supervisor and am well aware of our crowded jails, but does that excuse us from doing our sworn duty when we have a violation of the law? What part of "illegal" don't we understand.

I have begun my crusade, and I need your help. I have contacted several of our state representatives and senators, as well as our U.S. representatives. I have received two responses and one is from our U.S. representative. One local radio station has seen fit to broadcast the need to address this issue based on my daughter's situation.

Recently, I opened The Sun News and saw on the front page a most disturbing picture, a young woman, Caroline Dargan, holding a picture of her mother, a mother she will never hug again. I saw a picture of a husband, Waldeck Dargan, who will not enjoy the companionship of a wife during their golden years.

Why should such a story hit home? The two boys who ran over Joyce Dargan were in this country illegally. They are juveniles and, according to the article, will be dealt with. Does it take a woman to die before we face reality?

I brought up some questions in my earlier letter and I'm going to ask them again. Is cheap, illegal labor worth one life? Are we going to close our eyes to illegal drivers on our roadways? Are we going to let illegal immigrants post bail never to be seen again? Are we going to hold our legal system accountable for releasing illegal immigrants who violate the law?

I hope that all of you look long and hard in the mirror and say its time to make things tough. Those who hire illegal people and get caught should face such devastating penalties that they think twice about doing it. I sure know that my daughter's life is worth more than $258.

Please join me in getting our news media, legislators and national leaders to empower local law enforcement officers to hold illegal immigrants until the immigration services respond. Don't let another life be lost because we closed our eyes.

I'm lucky; my daughter didn't die but came very close. My heart goes out to the Dargan family and all the families who have experienced a loss under these circumstances.

The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.