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Cinthya Garcia-Cisneros is a 19-year-old woman from Oregon whose entire world may be turned upside down because of a horrible accident she caused and then a bad judgment call on her part. While driving her SUV in October, she pummeled through a huge leaf pile and accidentally struck and killed stepsisters Anna Dieter-Eckerdt, who was 6, and 11-year-old Abigail Robinson. The girls were playing at the time and were totally concealed by the foliage, according to reports. The incident was said to be an accident, but what happened next wasn't -- and it's the entire reason why Cinthya deserves to be deported back to Mexico.
According to prosecutors, Cinthya's brother returned to the scene of the crime moments later and learned the two children had been badly injured. He then went home and told his sister she may have hit the girls with her car. Instead of calling police, Cinthya chose to do nothing. Granted, I'm sure she was in a state of shock and denial -- who wouldn't be? But that isn't an excuse to not come forward and help police -- help a grieving family -- by confessing what you've done. Police arrested Cinthya the next day at her home.
The teen, who was brought to the United States at age 4, has temporary permission to remain here under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program. BUT the program outlines specific rules that must be adhered to -- and one of them is that anyone convicted of a felony offense and some other crimes is not eligible for protection. Cinthya was found guilty in court of two counts of felony hit-and-run and was sentenced to three years of probation and 250 hours of community service. But rules are rules and that punishment does not sound fair. The teen is currently awaiting a bond hearing before an immigration judge.
I rarely choose to get involved in heated discussions about immigration because I can often see both sides of the debate. But in this case -- in the case where two young children lost their lives because of a teen's negligence and then unwillingness to accept responsibility -- I feel deportation is a just and deserved consequence, as well as one that respects the current eligibility requirements stated in DACA.
What do you think? Should this teen be deported or kept in the U.S. since this was clearly an accident?
Image via Pam Hule/Flickr
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