Thread: Cherokee Co. - Lawsuits Filed Over Ordinances

As usual, this was expected.

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_articl ... ryid=88724

Lawsuits Filed Over Ordinances

Catherine Kim Reports


Web Editor: Catherine Kim
Last Modified: 12/7/2006 12:01:58 AM


Several organizations are joining forces to sue Cherokee County after Tuesday night's county commission approval of ordinances targeting illegal immigrants.

The commissioners passed measures that would punish landlords who rent to illegals, make English the county's official language, and allow the county to check the legal status of anyone applying for public benefits.

The Cherokee County commissioners meeting, and the ordinances they passed has Isaiah Delemar with the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and several opposing groups mobilizing to stop what they are calling anti-immigration ordinances.

"We are pandering to the lowest common denominator and deprive people of their constitutional rights under Georgia and U.S. constitutions. The fact that the commissioners didn't allow our groups to speak last night raises questions about first amendment," said Delemar.

The lawsuit is still in the works. But MALDEF, the ACLU, and several private law firms expect to file a complaint and a temporary restraining order to keep the ordinance from taking effect January 1, 2007. The lawsuit will only target the ordinance that would penalize landlords for renting to illegal tenants.

"The U.S. Constitution clearly states that immigration legislation is strictly within the jurisdiction of the federal governments. And what we have here is the states and the municipality and counties trying to usurp federal powers," said Delemar.

But the county commissioners and other advocates point to federal inaction and illegal immigration as a drain on local resources.

"I believe its political fader. People are playing to a certain segment of the population and basically appealing to people's fears of immigrants," said Delemar.

Delemar says Cherokee County's ordinance was copied, some parts verbatim from similar measures that the courts have already ruled against and halted from taking effect.

"The legal costs will be pretty extreme for Cherokee county taxpayers. I believe they actually lost," said Delemar.

I hope they stick to their guns and don't cave here!