PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. - Prince William County’s police chief has urged a top immigration official to stop issuing work permits to people who are being deported.
In a letter to Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security John Morton, Chief Charlie T. Deane stated Morton’s agency must reconsider and correct the process of issuing Employment Authorization Cards to illegal immigrants in the deportation process.
The work permits obtained through the DHS show potential employees are eligible for work in the U.S.
The chief’s letter comes after Carlos A. Martinelly Montano, 23, allegedly drove his car under the influence of alcohol and killed a Catholic nun from Richmond in early August.
Following the crash, federal immigration officials said Montano had been in the deportation process since he was involved in another alcohol-related crash in 2008.
Montano reported for his court appearance following the earlier crash and was released on his own recognizance.
Though this most recent crash is his third DUI offense in three years, a DHS spokeswoman said following the crash that killed the nun that Montano’s case was not fast-tracked through the courts because his 2008 crash was not considered a violent offense.
An investigation reveals DHS issued him the Employment Verification Card in January 2009, just months after he was placed into deportation proceedings.
Montano then used that card to obtain a legal Virginia driver’s license.
“I’ve been in contact with Virginia authorities regarding the concern that Virginia DMV documents issued based on EACs under these circumstances is very misleading. This can result in criminal aliens being inappropriately released when being processed by law enforcement officers,” stated Deane.
In the latest crash, Sister Denise Mosier, 66, was killed instantly when Montano’s 1997 Subaru Outback slammed into a guardrail on Bristow Road and then slammed into the 2003 Toyota Corolla carrying Mosier and two other sisters, whom lived through the crash, police said.
Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-530-3905.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement