Some fear checkpoints may target illegal immigrants

A statewide push to catch drunk drivers has alarmed members of the Hispanic community, where many fear that highway checkpoints will be used to catch and deport illegal immigrants.

The Governor's Highway Safety Program is encouraging law enforcement agencies across the state to set up checkpoints Friday. Officials there say the event was planned to play on Friday's unique date, 08/08/08, which echoes the legal blood alcohol level of .08. They say they don't know how many checkpoints will be operating Friday, but at least two are planned in Wake County and one in Alamance County.

State officials say the event's purpose is to catch drunk drivers, but they say officers won't ignore other violations, such as driving without a license.

"Officers are going to be looking for any violation they see," said Don Nail, assistant director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program.

State law prohibits illegal immigrants from getting drivers licenses, so the threat of widespread checkpoints is a cause for concern. In several counties, including Wake and Alamance, jailers can now check the immigration status of inmates, and traffic charges can lead to deportation.

Advocates say that many Hispanic immigrants, even those in the country legally, are planning to skip work, keep their children out of school and cancel soccer games on Friday.

"People are scared to death and going underground," said Luke Smith, a child psychiatrist who works with Hispanic patients. "They're really going into Y2K bunker mode."