Story Created:
Nov 3, 2009 at 9:47 AM CST
Story Updated:
Nov 3, 2009 at 9:49 AM CST
DALLAS (NBC NEWS) - A Dallas, TX woman who was ticketed for being a non-English-speaking driver is calling for an internal investigation. Ernestina Mondragon was pulled over Oct. 2 on a traffic stop and cited for not speaking English in addition to two other traffic violations. Mondragon and her attorney said Sunday that they are filing a complaint with the Dallas Police Department.
"I do not understand how a police officer can give a citation for an offense that doesn't exist on paper," said Domingo Garcia, Mondragon's attorney. Chief David Kunkle said last week that the officer, a rookie under supervised training, misapplied a federal law when citing Mondragon. He said the department's computer system for citations includes the law, which requires drivers of commercial vehicles to speak English.
Mondragon's "no-English" ticket was later dismissed in court. The department said more than three dozen other citations for not speaking English have been issued by at least six officers. Kunkle said the officers and their commanders are under investigation.
Wednesday, Nov 4 at 5:36 PM Jamie wrote ...
While I do agree that foreign citizens should be required to learn the language, people should also learn HOW LONG this lady had been in the USA. To simply state "learn it or get out" is ludicrous and racist. If anyone can recall drivers ed, the road signs are color coded with symbols that are UNIVERSAL. Numbers are universal as well. Make an educated statement before you put it in print. God forbid someone treated YOUR ancestors with disrespect.
31604019Wednesday, Nov 4 at 4:56 PM Hunter wrote ...
Before anyone, man, woman, child, white, black, or green, can enter this country they should be required to be able to speak and understand English. NO exceptions..
31602199Wednesday, Nov 4 at 10:14 AM Angey wrote ...
I have been to Mexico and found using my hands to communicate things was much easier than learning the language for my "vacation". I say that because I wanted to point out that I did not get mad because Mexico did not cater to my language barrier and ask they learn MY language. Why should my taxes be used to ensure spanish speaking illegal immigrants can read road signs in their language? Press 1 if you agree. LOL
31576269Wednesday, Nov 4 at 9:20 AM Maira wrote ...
I wish some of you would check your spelling before you post your comments. Thanks!
31572606Wednesday, Nov 4 at 7:29 AM Poppa wrote ...
I agree that you should be able to communicate in the languege where you are. BUT! How long has she been in the USA? Most older people either feel they can not learn another labnguege. OR they are not comfoirtable expressing their respone in the adopted countries languege. Either way the office should have asked for someone who could talk to her. And where wha that superising office whe shewas being cited? God bless the USA!
31565071Wednesday, Nov 4 at 5:29 AM Anonymous wrote ...
my wife came from another country . she is so upset when we go to the mexican resturant and they speak there toung . when she came here they told her to speak english so she learned quickly , and i have learned hers. it is they do not care to learn english!!!!!!!!!
31560344Tuesday, Nov 3 at 11:44 PM Homer wrote ...
Speaking english should not be a choice. If she was being attacked or sick she would probably learn to speak english very quickly.It is a shame that we could not round up these immigrants and teach them english then send them home with proper paper work to return to our great land.Including a social security number to pay there fair share of the taxes.
31555716Tuesday, Nov 3 at 10:33 PM fax wrote ...
this is terrible
31553481Tuesday, Nov 3 at 10:14 PM Anonymous wrote ...
I agrae that if you live hear you should speak english. If you cnn't learn the language then get the he#@ out. Oh and I misspelled the stuff on here for you spelling teachers that like to point out the spelling errors. Just because someone isn't a spelling champ doesn't mean squat. Atleast they can speak and read the language.
31552756Tuesday, Nov 3 at 9:25 PM Anonymous wrote ...
I totally agree that they should learn english to some extent at least, but i also think alot of the people on here need to quit being so judgemental! Calling a language you don't understand "jubberish" is really just showing how stupid you are. And I also agree that all the people on here that are criticizing others can't even spell what they are trying to write!
31550721Tuesday, Nov 3 at 8:36 PM jacky boy wrote ...
I would just like to point out that in many of these post there is incorrect grammer, spelling issues, ect. Before you get bent out of shape over someone else and their "lack of knowledge" please take the time to proof read your arguement; otherwise you destroy your credibility.
31548386Tuesday, Nov 3 at 8:34 PM holmes wrote ...
IF YOU DONT WANT TO SPEAK ENGLISH GO HOME!!!!!!
31548326Tuesday, Nov 3 at 5:54 PM inappropriate comments wrote ...
yes, i do think if you live in the states then you should speak the language and be able to read it. For your safety and others. Just because we dont all look alike doesn't mean that you should be judgeing others for wanting the same things you have. Let the one that lives in a glass house cast the first stone.
31541884Tuesday, Nov 3 at 5:43 PM ky wrote ...
You are required to speak english in order to get CITIZENSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So if you bdont speak english and are in our country its our fault by not going by our own rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AEither we are or we are not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
31541441Tuesday, Nov 3 at 5:38 PM Linkon wrote ...
If they are good enough to bleed our system dry, they are good enough to learn English.
31541189Tuesday, Nov 3 at 5:12 PM BeeBee wrote ...
Well I think if people are smart enough to dodge border patrol or brave enough to hop in a tiny boat with 50 other immigrants, they should be required to learn English! I am not saying we should ban other nationalities from entering USA, but if we go to France, Spain, Mexico, etc, do we not try to learn their language in order to communicate? Common coutesy is a thing of the past. No wonder most older citizens refer to their childhood as "the good ole days"
31539914Tuesday, Nov 3 at 4:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...
that fine is 10 million peso's.
31538551Tuesday, Nov 3 at 4:00 PM wake-up wrote ...
I think the first thing people coming into America learn is, Get a lawyer and Sue and live like a king for evermore..
31536476Tuesday, Nov 3 at 3:55 PM Anonymous wrote ...
This Article is 2 weeks old.I read this on the Internet 2 weeks ago and this is News?
31536266Tuesday, Nov 3 at 1:00 PM M.R.A. wrote ...
Living in the U.S.A. and not speeking the language is like -- PRESS 1 FOR ENGLISH!! -- I strongly disagree with both!
31526206Tuesday, Nov 3 at 12:57 PM Mollie wrote ...
I see where this is going, being in America means being free, thats great, but wouldn't it be cheaper to to teach you guys to speak English then to put up road signs in Spanish along side our Enlish ones, since this incident is the first step toward that..
31526109Tuesday, Nov 3 at 12:45 PM Tina wrote ...
If you won't learn our language then leave, won't being the operative word. It's just another excuse to get around a law enforcement officer. They should get a ticket if they don't speak english and the law says they have to learn it.
31525424Tuesday, Nov 3 at 12:41 PM sd wrote ...
if they can't speak english, i'll go out on a limb and assume they can't read english, caution, yield signs etc., which would make them dangerous on the road to other drivers
31525134Tuesday, Nov 3 at 12:32 PM Hunter wrote ...
If you're going to live here you are going to speak English. That should be a requirement for any person that wants to enter this country. If not GET OUT..
31524506Tuesday, Nov 3 at 11:54 AM Mathilde wrote ...
Learn English and speak it, it's not that hard. (I did it myself) otherwise go home where you came from. It is not only rude not to learn the language spoken in the Country you choose to live in, in some situations it is downright dangerous.
31522329Tuesday, Nov 3 at 11:43 AM hodgecaver wrote ...
This is America, not Mexico, Pakistan, India, or anywhere else. We speak English here and if you want to live here and be a productive citizen, then learn to speak the English language.
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