Thread: Hazleton Moves Forward with Local Efforts to Control Illegal

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060922/dcf032.html?.v=66

Source: Office of Mayor Lou Barletta, Hazleton, Pennsylvania


Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Moves Forward with Local Efforts to Control Illegal Immigration
Friday September 22, 5:27 pm ET
Revised Local Ordinances Conform to Federal Law and Guard Against Abuse

HAZLETON, Pa., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Local ordinances designed to discourage the settlement of illegal immigrants will take effect in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, as of Nov. 1, announced Mayor Lou Barletta. The city, which is among the first in the nation to address the growing illegal immigration crisis at the local level, will begin implementing the Illegal Immigration Relief Act that is designed to protect both the interests of community and guard against potential abuse.

Working with the Federation for American Immigration Reform and the Immigration Reform Law Institute, nationally recognized experts in the area of immigration law, Hazleton has made revisions to ordinances first proposed in the spring. However, the city's commitment preventing illegal aliens from settling in Hazleton remains unchanged, the mayor and city council leaders stressed. Under the revised ordinances, the city will be able to uphold its obligation to protect the safety and resources of law abiding residents, within the limits prescribed under federal law.

"Hazleton has not wavered in its determination to stop illegal immigration to our city, or in our equally strong commitment to protect the civil rights of every law abiding resident of this community," said Barletta. "The revisions that we have adopted will ensure that Hazleton's efforts to control illegal immigration comply with both the letter and the spirit of federal immigration law."

The national and international attention focused on Hazleton since announcing local efforts to control illegal immigration have already had positive effects. After a rapid increase in the population of illegal immigrants, the city has seen a reverse migration of illegal immigrants and a drop in crime and other social costs associated with the phenomenon.

"Under our revised policies, Hazleton will discourage illegal immigration through local business licensing policies," Barletta stated. "By making it clear to businesses that employ, and landlords who harbor, people who are in the country illegally that such actions will result in penalties, even the loss of a license to do business in our city, we can eliminate the magnet that draws illegal aliens to Hazleton. Removing illegal aliens from the country is the federal government's responsibility, but we can and will do all that we can to ensure that immigration lawbreakers do not wind up in Hazleton."

Since first proposing local ordinances to discourage illegal immigrants from settling in Hazleton, Mayor Barletta has been inundated with requests from other local government officials dealing with similar problems, and with expressions of support from people all across the country. "Our efforts are designed to protect the people of Hazleton, but we also hope to send a message to Washington that it is time to get serious about dealing with this growing problem at the national level," Barletta continued. "As other cities adopt similar measures, I believe it will become increasingly difficult for Congress and the White House to continue neglecting a crisis that is endangering the safety and economic security of so many Americans."

From the outset, Mayor Barletta and the City Council have made it absolutely clear that all legal residents of the United States are welcome in Hazleton. "The revisions in the Hazleton ordinances go the extra mile to make sure that efforts to prevent illegal immigration are never abused. It has not happened yet, and profiling and other abuses will never be tolerated in our city. When it comes to living and working in Hazleton, the only consideration we have is whether you are legally entitled to be in the country," Barletta concluded.

To learn more about the City of Hazleton and the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, or to make an online contribution to the City of Hazleton Legal Defense Fund, visit http://www.smalltowndefenders.com.


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Source: Office of Mayor Lou Barletta, Hazleton, Pennsylvania

This guy is so neat. They've got to send him to Washington, and maybe we can help !!