Thread: Proposal targets illegal immigrants

Courtdale and Forty Fort draft Hazelton type ordinance.

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

08/08/2006

Forty Fort Borough Council could make its first vote next Monday on a proposed illegal immigration ordinance that would ban illegal immigrants from renting property, punish businesses that hire or aid the immigrants, and make English the “official” language of the borough.

The proposed ordinance would need to pass a second vote to become official legislation.

Councilman Dave Williams, who crafted the proposal, said Forty Fort needs the statute because “it’s the right thing to do.” Williams said the proposed ordinance shows support for Hazleton, which became the first municipality in the nation to pass such legislation July 14.

Williams said the proposal was created because the federal government has failed to act against illegal immigration, which he called “a disease that’s festering in this country.”

However, Williams said he hasn’t noticed a growing illegal immigrant population in the borough, an area with a 98.5 percent white populace, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.

“Do we have what I perceive to be a huge illegal immigration problem? No,” he said. “Do I find them behind buildings and in the dumps? No. But for every little borough that does something about it, hopefully another one or two will do something about it. Maybe finally, the federal government will get off their lazy buns and do something.”

Courtdale Borough Mayor James Gaughan said it is up to small municipalities to create illegal immigration ordinances because the federal government can’t effectively manage a nationwide legislation. Local communities have the eyes to keep track of residents and illegal immigrants, he said. Courtdale is in the process of drafting its own illegal immigration ordinance.

Forty Fort’s proposal mirrors Hazleton’s almost entirely, but it contains several additions that make it stricter. Hazleton’s ordinance bans hiring, renting and leasing to illegal immigrants. Forty Fort’s also bans businesses from allowing these immigrants to “use property in any way,” according to the proposal. Businesses that aid immigrants in Hazleton are denied approval of permits and contracts for no less than five years, but Forty Fort’s proposal increases the minimum to 10 years.

Hazleton defined “employer” as one who hires through a “day labor agency” in its legislation. Forty Fort expands the definition to include employers who hire for “any service,” according to the proposal.

Williams said community and council members he has talked to have responded favorably to the proposal. But it hasn’t met unanimous approval.

Councilman Andy Tuzinski said he is not advocating the proposal and is “neutral” on the issue. He said council needs to focus more on rental inspections and problems between landlords and tenants in general.

Mayor Boyd Hoats Jr. said he has yet to examine the details of the proposal, but remained skeptical.

“To be honest, I’m not really for it,” Hoats said.

Williams and Tuzinski said council President Joseph Chacke voiced concern about possibly having to defend the ordinance against lawsuits. They said Chacke suggested postponing action to see how Hazleton’s proposal survives legal criticism for possibly pre-empting federal immigration laws or violating federal civil rights legislation. Chacke could not be reached for comment Monday.

Williams and Gaughan said municipalities couldn’t choose inaction because of possible lawsuits.

“I don’t want to sit back and wait,” Williams said. “This is the right thing to do. Maybe there will be a lawsuit or two. … Too bad.”

Williams said he is “a firm believer” in his proposed ordinance, but he is unsure of whether council will decide to revise the proposal or take a first vote at its 7:30 p.m. meeting Aug. 13.

mmatray@citizensvoice.com



©The Citizens Voice 2006

No. But for every little borough that does something about it, hopefully another one or two will do something about it. Maybe finally, the federal government will get off their lazy buns and do something.”

Amen to that. If more and more cities nationwide do this, hopefully the feds will have no choice to back them up. If they don't, this nation is going to be in an uproar.