Thread: N. Jersey town sued over immigration law

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01504.html

N. Jersey town sued over immigration law

By Jon Hurdle
Reuters
Wednesday, October 18, 2006; 6:55 PM



PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Civil rights campaigners and business groups sued the New Jersey township of Riverside on Wednesday over a law that seeks to crack down on illegal immigration.

The law called the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, passed by Riverside's city council in July, is designed to stop businesses hiring or renting to illegal immigrants, who are accused of overburdening local services without paying taxes.

Riverside's law oversteps the city's authority, violates civil rights under state law and fails to clearly define who is an illegal immigrant, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed in Burlington County Superior Court by a coalition of Riverside business owners, landlords and residents represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund.

According to the Puerto Rican group, 10 U.S. cities have now passed similar laws and a further 39 are considering them. This includes the city of Escondido, California which is set to vote on Wednesday on a similar measure. Courts have not yet ruled on the laws.

America's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants are a leading issue in the campaigns for local and national elections on November 7.

U.S. lawmakers are trying to reconcile major differences in immigration bills proposed in the Senate, which seeks a path to citizenship for eligible immigrants, and the House, which emphasizes stronger border controls.

Riverside with about 8,000 people includes an immigrant community estimated at around 2,000, many of whom are from Brazil. Some have left the town since the ordinance was passed, said Cesar Perales, president of the Puerto Rican group.

"We have heard that people are beginning to leave," Perales said. "They have decided that they are not wanted."

The complaint argues that the law has caused businesses and landlords to lose income for fear of being prosecuted.

People found breaking the law can be fined between $1,000 and $2,000, imprisoned for up to 90 days and denied business permits and township contracts.

Immigrant rights groups clashed with local people in August at a town-center rally in which some supporters of the law shouted at immigrants to "go home."

Riverside Mayor Charles Hilton did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

What's the point of this lawsuit? The illegals already have abandoned Riverside, according to another article posted here. They're right about not being wanted though.