Addiego, Rudder: Grand jury decision affirms need to change NJ laws

Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder today vowed to work tirelessly in support of their immigration reform package after a grand jury failed to indict an illegal immigrant and unlicensed driver in the accident that killed a 27-year-old Evesham teacher.

      “I am shocked and saddened that the illegal immigrant responsible for this horrible tragedy will not be forced to pay for his blatant scorn of the law and disregard for human life,” said Assemblywoman Addiego. “It is upsetting that he is going to walk away from this with nothing more than a couple traffic tickets.”

      Assemblyman Rudder stated the case affirms the need for quick legislative action on a package of four immigration reform bills sponsored by the 8^th District lawmakers.

      “If the driver didn’t have a job and he didn’t have a truck, this never would have happened,” said Assemblyman Rudder. “Our bills will stop illegal immigrants from finding employment, driving without licenses, and purchasing vehicles in New Jersey.”

      “We need immediate action by the legislature to protect hard-working, law-abiding residents from criminals who sneak into the country and thumb their nose at everything from traffic rules to tax regulations,” Assemblyman Rudder continued.

      The grand jury refused to indict Jose Luis Galindo-Sanchez with vehicular homicide, hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.

      Galindo-Sanchez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico with a residence in Camden, drove through a red light on Route 70 in Evesham on April 8, killing DeMasi Middle School teacher Amy Voorhees, who was on her way to the school.

      Galindo-Sanchez provided police at the scene with the Social Security number of a 90-year-old, and was accused of urging his brother, a passenger in Galindo-Sanchez’ truck, to flea the scene.

      “I am frustrated and annoyed that the prosecutor’s office was unable to convince the grand jury that it is a reckless act when an unlicensed illegal alien runs through a stop signal on a state highway,” said Assemblyman Rudder. “That’s why we need laws on the books that are clearly defined to deal with issues related to illegal immigration.”

      The 8^th District legislators recently introduced four bills aimed at illegal immigration.

      A-4055 penalizes employers who hire unauthorized aliens and requires verification of citizenship for employment.   

      Three of the bills are designed to keep the streets safe from unlicensed, uninsured illegal aliens.

      A-4057 establishes penalties for drivers who have never obtained a legal driver’s license, and A-4056 requires the private seller of a used motor vehicle to request identification information from the purchaser.

      A-4086 establishes penalties for an employer who allows unauthorized aliens to operate an employer-owned vehicle.

      “The tragedy in Evesham delivers a message, loud and clear, that the legislature must take action. We will use our energy to muster bi-partisan support for our bills, and convince Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts that this legislation is necessary and urgent,” said Assemblywoman Addiego. “The residents of New Jersey are demanding an end to a culture that permits illegal immigrants to adhere to a different set of rules than the rest of us.”

      The 8^th District legislators previously sponsored two additional bills cracking down on illegal immigration.

      A-1782 “prohibits the release on bail of persons in the country illegally who are charged with crimes of the first or second degree.” The bill also denies bail for an illegal immigrant with two prior criminal convictions.

      A-308 bars companies which hire illegal aliens from public contracts, grants, loans or tax incentives for a period of seven years.

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