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08/23/2006
Wilkes-Barre Township proposing illegal immigration ordinance
BY WADE MALCOLM
STAFF WRITER

Wilkes-Barre Township is actively considering and could pass an illegal immigration ordinance “substantially similar” to Hazleton’s, according to Solicitor Bruce Phillips and Councilman Gary Polakoski.

“There’s a lot of support for it,” Phillips said when asked if the township’s council would likely pass an illegal immigration ordinance. “It’s almost universal, I believe.”

The township does not have an illegal immigration problem, according to Phillips.

But the township is considering such an ordinance as a preventive measure, Polakoski said, because if Hazleton successfully defends its ordinance, illegal immigrants could move elsewhere.

“Who knows where?” he said.

The township of about 3,200 residents is another in a litany of eastern Pennsylvanian municipalities to consider enacting a measure mimicking Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta’s ordinance, which will fine those who rent or employ illegal immigrants.

Plains Township, Hazle Township, Forty Fort and at least 10 other municipalities in the state have considered following Hazleton’s lead, despite a lawsuit filed last week in federal court against Hazleton by several advocacy groups and local attorneys.

Only Forty Fort has voted down such an ordinance, while others, such as McAdoo and Shenandoah in Schuylkill County, have delayed a vote pending the lawsuit’s outcome.

While there is support from council members, a Hazleton-type ordinance isn’t likely to pass in Wilkes-Barre Township any time soon, either.

Given the lawsuit against Hazleton, the township wants to carefully examine the legal ramifications of such an ordinance before taking action, according to Polakoski.

“You have to be very careful when you do something like this,” he said.

“You don’t want to jump into this, then jump out and look stupid.”

Council President Mary Yuknavich suggested the township consider such an ordinance, Polakoski said. Yuknavich could not be reached for comment.

Council has not scheduled a vote on the ordinance, nor has it drafted an ordinance, but the issue could be discussed as early as the next council meeting on Sept. 5, according to Phillips.

The township is also particularly concerned about absentee landlords renting to illegal immigrants, he added.

“We want to include all people, but we want people who follow the law,” Polakoski said.

wmalcolm@citizensvoice.com