Thread: OR: Judge blocks measure restricting immigrant hiring

Judge blocks measure restricting immigrant hiring
1/30/2009, 5:08 p.m. PST
The Associated Press

ST. HELENS, Ore. (AP) — A Columbia County judge blocked a voter-backed ballot measure that would fine employers for hiring illegal immigrants from taking effect as scheduled Monday.

The measure was challenged by a coalition of Columbia County business owners and voters represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Northwest Workers' Justice Project.

Judge Ted E. Grove said Friday he was approving the injunction while he reviews issues raised by the measure's opponents.

They claim the measure exceeds county powers, violates the single subject requirement of the Oregon Constitution and is pre-empted by state law.

The measure relies on E-Verify, a federal database intended to determine legal residence that critics say is flawed.

Similar measures in several other states also have been struck down.

www.oregonlive.com

even the court system have been corrupted and past saving

I hate when a newspaper doesn't allow comments on an article!

I guess we can only hope this judge reviews this and comes down in our favor, perhaps setting a precedent that other locals can use to enact similar laws.

This is getting so out of hand, they are blocking us at every turn when it comes to getting something done about illegal immigration.....I could just scream.

Saturday, January 31, 2009
The Oregonian

St. Helens

Measure delayed on hiring illegal immigrants

A Columbia County judge delayed the start of an ordinance that, as of Monday, would have punished employers caught hiring illegal immigrants.

The ordinance was to take effect 90 days after voters approved a ballot measure, 57 percent to 42 percent, in November. A coalition of social justice groups and business owners represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and the Northwest Workers' Justice Project challenged it.

On Friday, Circuit Judge Ted Grove delayed the measure "given the number of legal issues to be considered, finding potential harm to the legislative bodies who would have to start enforcing the ordinance, the expense to the public and the expenses potentially incurred by employers," he said to a packed courtroom.

Lawyers argued that Measure 5-190 and the resulting ordinance are unlawful because immigration enforcement is beyond the county's authority. They also argued that the ordinance conflicts with state law and violates the federal and state constitutions.

County officials have said that enforcement of the ordinance would come at the expense of other services because the measure prohibits imposing new taxes.

-- Gosia Wozniacka
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonia ... xml&coll=7

THE PEOPLE voted for it and nothing else should matter...find the money!!!