Thread: Judge blocks Pa. town’s immigrant crackdown

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15504113/

Decision cites vague connection between illegal immigrants, crime


Updated: 1 hour, 31 minutes ago
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the city of Hazleton from enforcing a pair of ordinances targeting illegal immigrants, just hours before the measures were to go into effect.

The measures, approved by the City Council last month, would have imposed fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and denied business permits to companies that give them jobs. They also would have required tenants to register with City Hall and pay for a rental permit.

U.S. District Judge James Munley ruled that landlords, tenants and businesses that cater to Hispanics faced "irreparable harm" from the laws and issued a temporary restraining order blocking their enforcement.

"We find it in the public interest to protect residents’ access to homes, education, jobs and businesses," he wrote in a 13-page opinion.

Hispanic groups and the ACLU sued Hazleton on Monday, contending the laws violate the Constitution because they trample on the federal government's exclusive power to regulate immigration.

Mayor Lou Barletta, who spearheaded the law, has argued that illegal immigrants have brought an increase in drugs, crime and gangs to the city. The city's lawyers on Tuesday cited a 10 percent increase in crime between 2004 and 2005 as a reason why the ordinances should be enforced.

Munley, however, wrote that the city "offers only vague generalizations about the crime allegedly caused by illegal immigrants, but has nothing concrete to back up these claims."

Hazleton's crackdown, which was announced in June, has spurred other towns to pass similar laws. Municipal officials view the Hazleton lawsuit and a similar one in Riverside, N.J., as test cases.

Witold J. Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, hailed Tuesday's decision as an important victory.

"I think what's important is the judge recognized that this ordinance has the potential to cause real harm by costing people their jobs, their houses and requiring children to leave schools," he said.

The judge's restraining order expires Nov. 14. He indicated that he will schedule a hearing on the ACLU's motion for a temporary injunction.

Barletta has said he is convinced the courts will ultimately uphold the law.

Bull

This judge doesn't even take into consideration that he is putting many residents in danger by doing this. There is no concern about the criminal activity that was taking place in this city. Did he get his orders from someone at the top?

The MCLU at it again.

The blogs are going wild on MSNBC:

http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/threa ... m=Page%3D1

James M. Munley (Scranton, PA) nominated by William J. Clinton in 1998

That says it all doesn't it folks!

PA is eat up with Democratic appointed Judges.

District Judges

Thomas I. Vanaskie (Chief Judge) (Scranton) (nominated by William J. Clinton in 1994; appointed Chief Judge in 1999);
A. Richard Caputo (Scranton) (nominated by William J. Clinton in 1997);
James M. Munley (Scranton) (nominated by William J. Clinton in 199;
Yvette Kane (Harrisburg) (nominated by William J. Clinton in 199;
Christopher C. Conner (Harrisburg) (nominated by George W. Bush in 2002);
John E. Jones III (Williamsport) (nominated by George W. Bush in 2002)

Looks like the Hazelton ordinance needs to get out of PA to survive!

Dixie

to hell with the judge..let the towns people vote on it....

This quote is from this ACLU press release.
http://www.aclu.org/immigrants/discr...s20061030.html

"We expect the government to make laws that will prevent discrimination, not require it," said Omar Jadwat of the national ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project. "Hazleton’s ordinances clearly violate federal law, but more than that, they violate America’s tradition of fairness and democracy."

We have a reason to discriminate. People are here illegally. Could you us this same argument to make a withdrawal at a bank that you had no account?

To hell with the judge too !!! There is nothing in our constitution that protects illegal trespassers. They have no rights.

Hazelton should proceed as planned. See what hell breaks loose throughout the US if someone tries to stop them.

Originally Posted by Dianne

To hell with the judge too !!! There is nothing in our constitution that protects illegal trespassers. They have no rights.

Hazelton should proceed as planned. See what hell breaks loose throughout the US if someone tries to stop them.

Yah. I say CHOO CHOO!!!

I agree. The hell with the judge.

U.S. District Judge James Munley ruled that landlords, tenants and businesses that cater to Hispanics faced "irreparable harm" from the laws and issued a temporary restraining order blocking their enforcement.

Like every one of the OBL crowd he is "grouping". He is making NO distinction between legal and illegal. Doing something illegal SHOULD do "irreparable" HARM to those who break the law and those who support them by aiding and abetting you stupid and seditious SOB!