The division in the American population about what to do with illegal immigration has deepened, after an undocumented Bolivian citizen murdered a Catholic nun in a traffic accident in the state of Virginia. Carlos A. Montaño, age 23, was drunk when his vehicle collided with another in which three sisters of the Catholic convent "Benedictine Sisters of Virginia" were riding on.
The nun Denise Mosier died on impact, while the other two sisters, Charlotte Lange and Connie Ruth Lupton are in close observation in a hospital.
The accident has been another spark against the controversial topic: illegal immigration. According to recent polls from different Television networks, the majority of the population in the state of Virginia want a similar law as the one passed in Arizona last April.
The religious organization said that the death of Sister Monsier should be used as a "forum for an immigration agenda in the United States" and urged everyone to focus on the "mandate of Christ to forgive."
But despite several statements of the Benedictine Sisters to not politicize the misfortune, authorities and media have said that stricter laws are needed against illegal immigration, calling for rules similar to SB 1070, the Arizona immigration law that was sued by the American federal government a month ago.
"The sisters' mission is peace and love," said Corey Stewart, chairman of Prince William County's Board of Supervisors. "My mission is law enforcement and the protection of public safety."
The religious organization said that the death of Sister Monsier should be used as a "forum for an immigration agenda in the United States" and urged everyone to focus on the "mandate of Christ to forgive."
But despite several statements of the Benedictine Sisters to not politicize the misfortune, authorities and media have said that stricter laws are needed against illegal immigration, calling for rules similar to SB 1070, the Arizona immigration law that was sued by the American federal government a month ago.
"The sisters' mission is peace and love," said Corey Stewart, chairman of Prince William County's Board of Supervisors. "My mission is law enforcement and the protection of public safety."
Stewart rushed back into the immigration debate after the Aug. 1 accident, firing off a statement that President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and members of Congress "all have blood on their hands."
"What I'm hoping is that this situation, which because it involves a nun has drawn the nation's attention, can serve as a catalyst for change and force the administration to come clean about its catch-and-release policies," Stewart said. He also says that the tragedy illustrates the need for Virginia to toughen its drunken driving laws.
Many critics of SB 1070 immigration law have said that the unfortunate death of the Catholic nun will trigger the adoption of "anti-immigrant laws " in several U.S. states on the grounds of "public safety"
In Arizona, what set off the adoption and approval of the SB 1070 immigratin law was the murder of farmer Robert Krentz, who was shot when he was checking water pipes in his property, located near the border with Mexico.
U.S. officials believe that the potential murderer could be a guide, member of a Mexican drug cartel, seeking ways to bring drugs to the US. The investigation on the case has not concluded.
But, the one day after the accident, Virginia’s Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II, issued an advisory opinion to give the police authority to investigate the immigration status of anyone arrested or detained, powers that are similar to Arizona immigration law that is under review in a federal court.