Posted on 07/14/2006 5:51:04 PM PDT by smokinleroy
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A Pennsylvania town that passed one of the toughest immigration laws in the United States this week overstepped its authority, said a civil-liberties group which announced plans on Friday to sue.
The city council of Hazleton, a former coal-mining town of some 31,000 people, late on Thursday passed a measure that will deny a business permit to anyone hiring illegal immigrants.
It also imposes a $1,000 fine on any landlord who rents to illegal immigrants, and establishes English as the town's official language.
The ordinance states that illegal immigration leads to higher crime rates, overcrowded classrooms and failing schools, imposes a financial burden on hospitals and reduces the quality of other public services in the town.
Hazleton boomed under a wave of Eastern European immigrants in the late 1800s, and has experienced a surge of Hispanic immigration in recent years.
The townspeople are suffering from "the debilitating effects on their economic and social well being imposed by the influx of illegal aliens," the regulation says, and the city has the authority to punish those who aid illegal aliens.
A coalition including the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, which represents U.S. Latinos on immigration issues, say they will sue Hazleton in federal court.
Lee Llambelis, legal director of the Fund, said the suit will argue that the ordinance erodes the federal government's power to regulate immigration.
(Excerpt) Read more at today.reuters.com ...
Same old MSM non-sequitur.
(Go Israel, Go! Slap Down Em Hezbullies!)
If Hazelton sets up a defense fund, I'll cut a check. This is my state and I want the illegals OUT.
Exactly. It has nothing to do with race but every thing to do with illegality.
ping
The Feds turn a blind eye to illegals and the people at the grass level can't do a dang thing about it.
That's all they do is sue.
But illegal immingration is ok now!
They whine about judges voiding the will of the people but they'll be just fine with it in this case.
So I guess they'll be suing cities that have passed ordinances establishing themselves up as cities of amnesty for illegals as well.
Liberals nationally declare war against Hazelton, but it's the town that evokes comparisons to totalitarianism from the media?
The media points the finger of condemnation with one hand and salutes "Sieg Heil!" with the other.
The new ordinances do not erode the Federal government's power to regulate immigration. The Federal power to regulate immigration occurs at the point in which immigrants are legally admitted to the country, or when illegal aliens are deported.
So long as the township does not endeavor to either admit immigrants to the country, or deport immigrants out of the country- the township remains within their rights.
LoL!
1.) My town impounds vehicles driven by unlicensed/uninsured drivers. It's an automatic $500.00 cash fine to be caught doing either in my town. Also, proper ID is required to retrieve the vehicle from the impound lot.
2.) As the perp is filling out the paperwork to retrieve the vehicle, a quick check is done to see if the IDs are legit. If they aren't, it's an instant felony arrest.
3.) At the same time the perp is run through NCIC to see if they're wanted in any other jurisdiction. If they are, instant arrest.
4.) Zoning and health ordinances are enforced at rental properties ruthlessly. If an apartment is occupied by more than 4 adults, it's a Red Tag and the landlord is notified that his property is out of compliance with zoning laws. Repeated offenses bring pretty stiff fines and can lead to the loss of his or her business license. If landlords don't get with the program they can lose the property through Nuisance Property ordinances.
5.) Ordinances against public intoxication and public consumption of alcohol are vigorously enforced.
These few things have made a pretty big difference in my town. We are no longer a haven for illegals and the local apartment complexes known as Mexico Del Norte are slowly but surely emptying out.
Also once in a while the local ICE office lets our PD 'borrow' one of their vans. PD just parks it in the 'problem areas' and things get real quiet, real fast.
L
How can you erode a power that is seldom used?
GREAT point.
I lived in South Jersey for 15 years and Honeymooned in the Poconos. Does that count? LOL
Count me in. If anyone sees a defense fund site, please post as I have my checkbook out and ready to donate.
I lived in South Jersey for 15 years and Honeymooned in the Poconos. Does that count? LOL
Count me in. If anyone sees a defense fund site, please post as I have my checkbook out and ready to donate.
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