Thread: Expert estimates up to 3,400 illegal immigrants live in Hazl

03/20/2007
Update: Expert estimates up to 3,400 illegal immigrants live in Hazleton
By Wade Malcolm , Staff Writer

Based on national trends, between 1,500 and 3,400 illegal immigrants live in Hazleton, a demographer estimated on the witness stand this afternoon.

Using nationwide figures and applying them to Hazleton, Dr. Steven Camarota testified to arriving at that estimate by examining how many students in the Hazleton area enroll in English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classes.

If Hazleton mirrors the entire country, the nearly 800 students taking ESL in the Hazleton Area School District provides an estimate of the illegal population in Hazleton, Camarota said during day seven of the trial to decide if Hazleton can punish landlords and employers doing business with illegal immigrants.

This number of illegal immigrants would subject Hazleton to a substantial financial burden, he testified.

Cities like Hazleton are "hardest hit," Camarota said, given its earned-income tax structure. According to most estimates, about 40 to 50 percent of illegal immigrants in the country do not pay wage taxes. Ordinances like Hazleton's would lower the financial burden of illegal immigration, he said.

On cross-examination, the plaintiffs suggested Camarota made too many assumptions about Hazleton based on national statistics. Camarota should not use ESL enrollment as the basis for his conclusion, they argued, because any immigrant, legal or illegal, could be in such programs, as are U.S. citizens.

The plaintiffs tried to preclude the next expert witness for the city from testifying, calling him an advocate with a clear bias.

But the judge allowed John Martin, of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, to testify to the rising cost of housing illegal immigrants in prisons. FAIR is one of groups that helped Hazleton draft its ordinance and is providing free legal help. The group generally advocates for more restrictive immigration policies.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?news ... 5154&rfi=6

40 to 50 percent of illegal immigrants in the country do not pay wage taxes.

An they wont if they are given amnesty either but they will be eligible for more social benefits.

Vacuum cleaner in the pocket of Uncle Sam.

Dixie

Camarota should not use ESL enrollment as the basis for his conclusion, they argued, because any immigrant, legal or illegal, could be in such programs, as are U.S. citizens.

Why would a US citizen be in an ESL class?

Just more rediculous statements, and attempts at steering by the ACLU to press their views. Maybe the judge is tiring of this too.