Thread: Another Letter From Mayor Barletta

I received this letter in my email today from Mayor Barletta.

On July 13, 2006, the City of Hazleton made history.

City Council passed an ordinance that intends to make Hazleton one of the toughest places in the country for illegal aliens by fining landlords who rent to and companies who knowingly hire illegal aliens.

After suffering through several high-profile crimes involving illegal aliens, we've sent a clear message that we've had enough. Hazleton is working to take back our streets, our neighborhood, and our community.

But there are those who are trying to stop us.

Several groups have come forward to say Hazleton doesn't have the right to protect itself.

They've said that suing Hazleton will prevent other elected officials across America from enacting similar laws in their own towns.

Some in those groups have also boasted they will take us to court and bankrupt the City of Hazleton, both to punish us for enacting this ordinance and to send a signal to other communities across the United States.

We're not going to be bullied.

That is why we created the City of Hazleton's Legal Defense Fund.

We believe our ordinance is legal. We believe it will stand up to judicial scrutiny. And we are willing to take the fight to save our city to the highest courts in America.

We need your help.

Your contribution will help us win this fight.

To help, send a check or money order to: City of Hazleton Legal Defense Fund, c/o Mayor Lou Barletta, City Hall, 40 N. Church St., Hazleton, PA 18201.

To use a credit card, log on to www.smalltowndefenders.com and follow the directions provided.

Take a stand and join the fight for Hazleton.

If they stop Hazleton, they may stop your community next.

Become a Small Town Defender.

I got one too. My check check will be in the mail this weekend. The battle in Hazelton if much bigger than some may realize. It will set precedent throughout the country. If Hazelton wins, many more cities and towns won't be as reluctant to follow their path. I honestly believe the fear of being sued is the biggest hurddle that is stopping many cities/towns from following Hazelton's lead. The battle line has been drawn and Hazelton needs our support!

Remember the Alamo!

I live near Hazleton and I've heard the mayor speak on the television numerous times. He is in no way backing down by making statements about not enforcing immigration laws. If he was to go about banging on doors asking status, his new law would be castigated.
I would believe that when his police force stops an illegal, that's when he'll have the chance to enforce the law. I KNOW he will enforce this law.
He was on television the other night and when told about the lawsuit, he said he didn't care, the law is necessary.
He's decided to draw the line in the sand in Hazleton. We're lucky we have an elected official with the guts to do something about this. I'm sure he's going to need financial support and we all need to help him win this battle. Even though I don't live there, my check will be in the mail tomorrow. God bless him and good luck.

Thought I would drop this article in here since it is related.

http://www.standardspeaker.com/index.ph ... 0&Itemid=2

Money starts rolling in to defend IIRA
Wednesday, 16 August 2006
By KENT JACKSON
kent.jackson@standardspeaker.com
Supporters started to contribute to the defense of Hazleton’s Illegal Immigration Relief Act a day after groups challenged the law in federal court.

Through an Internet site set up for the defense, contributors anted up $300 by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Cherie Homa, the secretary to Mayor Louis Barletta, said.

Offers came from people in Hazleton, Allentown, East Hampton, N.Y., and Silver Spring, Md., she said.

Barletta said other people told him previously that they plan to give to the city’s legal defense as soon as the suit was filed.

He plans to meet, perhaps as early as this week, with lawyers from a firm that offered to represent the city pro bono and said another firm made a similar offer.

Hazleton is receiving help from outside the city to defend the challenge, which was filed by groups from beyond the city because the act drew international attention.

The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union in four cities were among those who joined the suit filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Scranton.

"We’re not only fighting for Hazleton, but for cities around the country who want to file but are waiting," Barletta said Wednesday afternoon as a television crew from CNN’s "Lou Dobbs Tonight" show left his office.

Nearby municipalities such as Hazle Township enacted laws based on Hazleton’s ordinances, which was a model for laws under consideration from Avon Park, Fla., to Riverside, N.J.

The suit claims the act is unconstitutional because the city tries to regulate immigration, which is responsibility of the federal government.

Under the act, landlords are fined $1,000 for renting to illegal immigrants and businesses lose permits, grants and the right to enter into contracts with the city if they hire illegal immigrants.

A provision making English the official language of Hazleton’s city government will restrict the ability of people to participate in how they are governed, the suit claims.

Barletta doesn’t know how much the city will have to spend to defend the act.

"It’s so unfortunate. The reason we passed this is because of the cost of illegal immigration on the city. They filed (a challenge) that costs us even more," Barletta said. "I’m going to stand up for the citizens of Hazleton ... I’m not going to be scared off."

Donations to Hazleton can be made at the Web site www.smalltowndefenders.com or checks can be mailed to City Hall and made out to the Hazleton Legal Defense Fund.

BTT