Barletta touts proposed legislation targeting 'sanctuary cities'

June 1, 2011


U.S. rep. cites illegal immigration as serious threat and expense.

BILL O ’ BOYLE

HAZLETON – U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta is taking the fight against illegal immigration that began five years ago in Hazleton to Congress.

Immigration issues in Hazleton

• September 2006: Hazleton City Council approves Barletta’s Illegal Immigration Relief Act, which would make it illegal for employers to knowingly hire illegal aliens and for landlords to knowingly rent to illegal aliens. The American Civil Liberties Union and others challenge the act’s constitutionality.

• July 2007: U.S. District Judge James Munley declares the law unconstitutional after immigration supporters filed a federal lawsuit. Hazleton appeals to the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia.

• September 2009: The Third Circuit Court of Appeals rules the ordinance violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution, which precludes states from enacting laws that are at odds with federal law.

• November 2010: A federal appellate court rules an insurance company representing Hazleton does not have to pay attorneys’ fees associated with the city’s battle over its illegal immigration ordinance.

• January 2011: Barletta is sworn in as U.S. representative from the 11th Congressional District after defeating 13-term incumbent Paul Kanjorski two months earlier.

• May 31, 2011: Barletta introduces his first piece of legislation – the Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities (MASC) Act.

Standing on the steps of Hazleton City Hall, where he served as mayor for more than 10 years, Barletta, R-Hazleton, unveiled his first piece of legislation – the “Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act,â€