Mar 26, 11:59 AM EDT

Class on Pa. town's immigration fight draws fire

By KATHY MATHESON
Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A college course focusing on illegal immigration in the Pennsylvania town of Hazleton has drawn the ire of the city's mayor.

Mayor Lou Barletta says he fears the Temple University class unfairly portrays his efforts to crack down on illegal Hispanic immigrants in the former coal town.

The course is called "War in Hazleton: Main Street Meets the Global Village." Professor Lori Zett says it provides an objective look at U.S. immigration policy and Latin American culture.

Some students in the class who are from Hazleton say it has broadened their perspective on the immigrant tensions that have wracked their hometown.

Barletta will be coming to the Philadelphia university's law school next week to speak at a forum on immigration.

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