Immigration law faces new challenge
WHAT'S NEXT
Superior Court Judge John Sweeney has scheduled a hearing for May 14 on the illegal immigration ordinance.



Friday, April 13, 2007


By RICHARD PEARSALL
Courier-Post Staff

MOUNT HOLLY
A group seeking to overturn Riverside's controversial immigration ordinance renewed its efforts in state court here this week, asking the court to permanently enjoin enforcement of the ordinance.

Superior Court Judge John Sweeney scheduled a hearing for May 14 for Riverside to show cause why the injunction sought by a group of local business owners represented by the American Civil Liberties Union should not be granted.

"We hoped that the town would rescind the ordinance but it has refused," said James Katz, the attorney for the plaintiffs. "Our basic belief is that this is the only way to bring this to closure, whether they want to defend it or do the right thing and rescind it."

Riverside officials either declined to comment or could not be reached.

Last summer, concerned about the number of illegal immigrants living in the township, the township committee enacted what it called its Illegal Immigration Relief Act, making it illegal to rent to or hire illegal immigrants.

The ordinance attracted widespread media attention, sparked protests and counterprotests and led to two lawsuits -- one pending in federal court and the one now in state court filed by Katz and the ACLU.

The committee re-enacted the ordinance, with some amendments, in November after new committee members had been elected but not yet installed.

Voters ousted two Republican incumbents in the November election, including Mayor Charles Hilton, the chief spokesman for the immigration ordinance.

That outcome was interpreted in some circles as a rejection of the ordinance.

If so, the new 3-2 Democratic majority has not acted on it.

The Democrats picked as mayor George Conard, the lone Democrat on the previous committee, who had joined his Republican colleagues in supporting the ordinance.

And the new committee has taken no action to rescind the ordinance since taking office in January.

Thursday, Conard and new committeewoman Lorraine Hatcher declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.

Meghan Jack, the new township administrator, referred questions to township attorney George Saponaro, who did not return calls seeking comment.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in August by the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders argues that regulation of immigration and immigrants is a federal prerogative.

The suit filed by Katz, an attorney with the Cherry Hill firm Spear Wilderman, argues against the ordinance on state grounds.

"The ordinance is pre-empted by state law and it is so vague it cannot be enforced," Katz said.




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