Briefs deadline set in immigration law case
By SAM GALSKI (Staff Writer)
Published: August 12, 2011

The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals has set a deadline for attorneys to file briefs regarding Hazleton's controversial illegal immigration ordinance.

The development comes just a few weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the federal appeals court in Philadelphia to take another look at the case.

Attorney Kris Kobach, who wrote the never-enforced ordinance, was notified Thursday that the Third Circuit court would accept briefs through Sept. 12, Hazleton Mayor Joseph Yannuzzi said.

According to the mayor, plaintiffs and defendants will have the opportunity to file briefs and eventually file responses. The process could last through late September or early October, he said.

"That will probably be the date to end (the process) and they make a decision," Yannuzzi said.

Kobach will also ask the court to hear oral arguments.

Vic Walczak, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, said that a briefing schedule was recently sent to all counsel involved in the case. The city has 30 days to file while plaintiffs have a deadline that extends 20 days after the city files, Walczak said.

Earlier this month, Yannuzzi announced that the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a mandate that declares Hazleton's immigration ordinance unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court in June ordered the lower Third Circuit court to review the city's case.

The ordinance was intended to discourage employers from hiring, and landlords from harboring, illegal immigrants.

sgalski@standardspeaker.com

Read more: http://standardspeaker.com/news/briefs- ... z1UpfEUEeY