German Mercedes-Benz Executive Arrested Under Alabama's New Immigration Law

Think Progress:

Mercedes opened its first American manufacturing plant in Vance, Alabama in 1993, spurring a trend of foreign car makers and suppliers opening factories in the state. They may be rethinking that decision, however, after one of their German executives was arrested for simply not having his passport with him.

Read the whole story: Think Progress

Comments

[larryvnyrd]

05:28 PM on 03/16/2012

What? They didn't specify in the law that it wasn't supposed to apply to white people? What were they thinking?

[layman]

10:01 PM on 11/26/2011

Alabamian arrested a white foreign dude from Mercedez Benz who provide them Alabamians thousands of jobs. This policeman really did the right thing. He didn't apply the law selectively; but, equally across the board. He arrested a white dude who infracted the Alabama immigration law. Er hast papiers nicht.

[redsongia]

08:39 PM on 11/26/2011

Good job, Alabama. Close down your border and see what an all Alabama local economy manages to produce. Maybe your citizens will finally loose some of that weight.

[cobobs]

08:39 PM on 11/22/2011

This is big news because a rich white man from Daimler Benz was caught in the system. I am curious, how often brown people are asked for papers on German streets just because of how they look. No, this is not because I support the Alabama law. Just looking and thinking in stereo.

[redsongia]

08:36 PM on 11/26/2011

I spent 2 years in Germany and only showed my papers when I bought a train or plane ticket.  Thanks for weighing in with no information.

[thegreatdaveo]

11:04 AM on 11/29/2011

FFS, he just asked a question, he wasn't weighing in at all.

Thanks for weighing in with a comment intended to discourage anyone requesting information.

[icedover4ever]

01:48 PM on 11/30/2011

I also lived in Germany for a period of time. I was required to keep my passport on me at all times or risk being arrested as well if I was ever asked to produce it and could not. This man should not have be surprised by his arrest. He knew the risk. As a result he is not protesting or screaming discrimination. He is now educating his employess on the new law.

[Hnorc]

04:10 AM on 12/10/2011

I'd bet my life you do not own a passport.

[doriath22]

06:26 PM on 11/22/2011

Ihre kennkarte, bitte!

[jthunders2011]

12:34 PM on 11/22/2011

If it is the consensus that we be conquered, can we be conquered by a smart country? Mexico I don't think is the right choice...

[redsongia]

08:40 PM on 11/26/2011

One things for sure, Alabama won't be conquering anything this century.

[ALABAMALEFTIST]

12:27 PM on 11/22/2011

The Tuscaloosa News noted in today's editorial that since October 1 66 people have been arrested for not having a driver's license when stopped by the police. Most were American citizens. Previously most of these people would have just gotten a warning insted of going to jail. Sure they should have had their IDs. I know that other countries require documents. Those observations do not make this stupid, racist law any better. It was passed by a bunch of bigots to pander to our lessor qualities. The Alabama legislature and our so Christian governor should be ashamed of themselves.

[PathofTotality]

12:44 PM on 11/22/2011

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20111122/NEWS/111129966/1012?p=1&tc=pg

[jthunders2011]

12:23 PM on 11/22/2011

Says the Dutch have reinstated watch on the border, today's news
"
Laut Migrationsministerium dienen die Kontrollen dem Kampf gegen Menschenhandel und illegale Einwanderung."

[redsongia]

08:37 PM on 11/26/2011

That's not what it says, it says that border control is useful in the fight against human trafficking and illegal immigration.

[den1953]

12:22 PM on 11/22/2011

Here is a hint to Mercedes PA doesn't have that law and would welcome your business, hell they would even build you the factory!

[Uhgg]

03:45 PM on 11/22/2011

Union state no cheap labor

[muysuave41]

12:01 PM on 11/22/2011

Welcome to Police State, USA!

[SantaFeConservative]

12:21 PM on 11/22/2011

Americans have to carry their passports in Germany ... so what's the big deal? This also shows that this law is not only aimed at Hispanics, but all foreigners.

[PathofTotality]

12:29 PM on 11/22/2011

Nope. Only to get in and out. You can carry said passport if you want but if you lose it your screwed for a while. Now, if you commit a crime things will change. Now, if you going to be in Germany for 90+ days you will need a work visa which would need to be with you. Same for folks from Germany coming to the US for 90+ days to work. Germany and the US are on the VISA Waiver Program for shorter buisness trips.

[hommie]

09:25 AM on 11/24/2011

he had is effin passport and still got arr3sted

[redsongia]

08:41 PM on 11/26/2011

On the bright side, I'm glad that he didn't get pepper sprayed or tasered.

[HarleyOpenRoad]

12:00 PM on 11/22/2011

Requiring a citizen of another country to carry proper ID is not really a stretch.

[k9catts]

11:46 AM on 11/22/2011

The guy may have been a daily quota arrest white-dude arrest.

What do you bet the Alabam Govna" made a quick call to the Mercedes management in Germany real fast offering his sincere apologies for arresting the white dude.

Along with his recommendations to limit sending dark skinned white dudes to Alabama.

[BlairCase]

12:43 PM on 11/22/2011

I bet management at the Tuscaloosa Mercedes plants reminds visiting executives they have to carry driver's lisences and passports while driving in the United States, just as they would in any other country.

[redsongia]

08:46 PM on 11/26/2011

Might be easier to just move the plant to Mexico.

[middwestreader]

11:46 AM on 11/22/2011

During the early days of the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement got a boost because most Americans found it embarrassing when African diplomats were refused service in segregated restaurants in Washington and down South. Refusal did not look good while the US was trying to convince the developing world that we, and not the Soviets, represented freedom's future.

Fast forward to 2011, and Alabama is still a national embarrassment.

[PepCap]

11:42 AM on 11/22/2011

Wait a minute, republicans are always screaming that the immigrants steal jobs!!If u can't find low paid American workers in Alabama, who will fill all those jobs?? Perry might be brighter than we thought..oh my did just write that...better get back to work!

[JWebberPhoto]

11:41 AM on 11/22/2011

Ihre papiere bitte.