The city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania was the first to pass an ordinance aimed at making it "one the most difficult places in the America for illegal immigrants". Other communities following suit, Valley Park, Missouri, and Riverside, New Jersey. "opponents filed federal lawsuits against Hazleton and Riverside, arguing principally that the local governments are violating the supremacy clause of the Constitution by attempting to regulate immigration, which is a federal matter."
Cesar Perales, president and CEO of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, which is suing Hazleton, called his case against the ordinance "a slam-dunk." But a victory in court, he said, will not address the anger that is growing in small-town America, where many blame illegal immigrants for a range of social ills."There is now this crazy climate of `get these people out of town,' " Perales said. "The laws are a reaction and a response to this sentiment. But it is also feeding it, and saying to people in these small towns that these [immigrants] are bad and they shouldn't be here with us."
A second lawsuit was filed against Riverside Township by the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, making similar arguments: that the ordinance governs conduct that falls under federal law; that it violates federal housing regulations and the Civil Rights Act; and that its terminology is "vague and ambiguous."
Hazelton Mayor Louis J. Barletta this summer attracted national attention to this former coal-mining town northwest of Philadelphia that has seen an influx of between 7,000 and 11,000 Hispanic immigrants. Los Angeles Times via Boston Globe
This will be very interesting to follow. "Hazleton's residents are "prepared to take the fight to the highest court in the United States if we have to," and have arranged a legal defense fund to defray the city's legal costs." Whatever you think about this, Hazelton's goal to rid the community of illegal immigrants has WORKED.
"It's been incredible. We have literally seen people loading up mattresses and furniture and leaving the city en masse," he said. "That was our goal, to have a city of legal immigrants who are all paying taxes. It's already been effective."
Attorneys for the Congressional Research Service, Congress's nonpartisan research arm, have determined that it '"would arguably create a new immigration regulatory regime independent from the federal system," and would "very likely" be struck down in court. The report quotes a 1976 Supreme Court decision that found that regulation of immigration is "unquestionably exclusively a federal power."'
But the report also noted that Hazleton is entitled to use local licensing law to regulate the employment of illegal immigrants. Kris Kobach, a University of Missouri law professor and former immigration adviser to John Ashcroft, said states have prevailed by proving that their immigration measures are consistent with federal objectives. The "gray areas" in the Hazleton ordinance, he said, involve issues such as renting to illegal immigrants, which Congress has never specifically addressed.
So far, 'five communities have passed ordinances based on Hazleton's, and 17 more are in the process of considering similar moves'. I wish MY community would join in!
Others posting:
Take Back Georgia, "Want coverage? We got coverage!!!"
Morning Coffee, "Upcoming House Hearings on Immigration"
The Uncooperative Blogger, "San Diego City Council wants illegal Alien Squatters and their chapel, off land"
DeMdeiacratic Nation, " Schlafly Says "Shoo Fly" to Illegal Immigrants"
DeMediacratic Nation, " Church shelters ILLEGAL immigrant"
Red Hot Cuppa Politics, "Mexico's Second Largest Import ..."
Common Sense America, "Illegal Immigration: Groups Sue Cities Daring To Stand For The Rule of Law"
The Uncooperative Blogger, "California Bill Would Tell Illegals Aliens OK to Drive without License"
**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email the coalition and let Brian know at what level you would like to participate.*
Jack Bauer fact for today:
Jack Bauer only gives one present at Christmas, Pain.
UPDATE: You can email your support to petition@hazletoncity.org
YES! I support Mayor Lou Barletta and the Illegal Immigration Relief Act! Please fill out the following information Name: Address: City: State: Telephone: Email Address: In the subject line put: "I Support the Illegal Immigration Relief"
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