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McAdoo official wants to discuss immigration pact with city mayor
Wednesday, 02 August 2006
By SAM GALSKI
galski@standardspeaker.com

A McAdoo councilwoman who wants to meet with Hazleton Mayor Louis Barletta and discuss how the city’s new illegal immigration law could impact surrounding communities could get her wish. Barletta said Wednesday that he’s open to meeting with McAdoo council members or anyone interested in discussing the Illegal Immigration Relief Ordinance (IIRO).

Barletta’s comments stem from requests made over the past two months by McAdoo Councilwoman Mary Labert.

Labert said in July that she followed up on a request she made in June to meet with Barletta and other local municipal leaders to discuss the IIRO and how it could impact surrounding communities.

She said she recently left a message at Barletta’s office about the potential for arranging such a meeting, but has yet to hear from the city.

“A lot of towns are concerned with Mayor Barletta’s immigration policy,” she said recently.

“The thing is, he’s chasing people out of Hazleton and where are they going to go?”

Barletta said his office has been contacted by at least 30 municipalities from throughout the country since city council adopted the IIRO July 13.

“I’d be happy to meet with anyone concerning the illegal immigration program and how we could address it,” Barletta said.

“Some of the municipalities have already contacted me. Some passed it, some are in the process of passing and some are considering passing it.
“And, it hasn’t only been here.”

Barletta said he understands concerns voiced by Labert, saying several local communities have either passed the act or are considering adopting it for reasons mentioned by Labert.

“That’s a natural assumption they could make,” Barletta said of the prospect of illegals moving out of Hazleton and into other communities.

“They could very possibly be doing that if the surrounding communities didn’t have the same ordinance in effect.”
Barletta believes that a “rippling effect” will occur throughout the country, with one neighboring communities following suit.

Labert wants to schedule a forum with Barletta and local elected officials so they can discuss the IIRO and its potential impact on neighboring communities.