Thread: Immigrant Crackdown Is Challenged In Pa.

http://www.wral.com/apnationalnews/9683038/detail.html

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Hispanic groups sued Hazleton on Tuesday over one of the toughest crackdowns on illegal immigrants by a U.S. city.

Hazleton, a city of about 31,000 people 80 miles from Philadelphia, voted last month to fine landlords $1,000 for renting to illegal immigrants, deny business permits to companies that give them jobs, and make English the city's official language.

The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund said the lawsuit is the first in the nation against a city that passed an illegal-immigration ordinance. The group and other plaintiffs contend the measure violates the law and asked a federal judge to prevent its enforcement.

Hazleton's ordinance inspired nearly a dozen local governments in eastern Pennsylvania _ and several more throughout the nation _ to consider their own laws on illegal immigration.

Local officials see the Hazleton lawsuit as a test of their ability to take immigration matters into their own hands.

Mayor Lou Barletta proposed the ordinance after two illegal immigrants were charged with shooting and killing a man.

It is not clear how many illegal immigrants live in Hazleton, but the city's Hispanic population has soared in recent years. The mayor said the measure has already prompted some illegal immigrants to leave.

Frustrated by inaction in Washington, many cities and states have passed their own measures to restrict or punish illegal immigrants and those who do business with them.

The Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan agency that writes reports for lawmakers, said in a recent analysis that federal law probably precludes municipalities from enforcing such measures.

The group and other plaintiffs contend the measure violates the law and asked a federal judge to prevent its enforcement.

Illegal alien hypocrasy at its best folks. They are claiming it violates the law? HOW ABOUT BEING HERE ILLEGALY YOU TWITS!
Talk about double standards with illegals!! breaking the laws to get in, and now hiding behind the law when it doesn't suit them. Unbelieveable.

I can't express how much I want this group to lose this case! This would be such a political slap in the face to all hispanic support groups like this one. Better yet, the domino effect from this would be a huge victory for the American people.

The problem is that these groups have learned how to use our own laws against us. Add in the aiding and abetting they get from the simple-minded, the corrupt politicians, and the race hustlers, and it's like shooting fish in a barrel for them.

Count Floyd, you speak the truth You have a flare with words

I'm sure nobody is surprised by this.

I hope every PC apologist, pundit and traitorous politician gets put on the front line when this crap finally blows up.

I'm with you Altura, Its time the American people become the Judge, Jury of our dirty politicians.