Posted on 08/15/2006 1:03:28 PM PDT by G3
Latino groups are challenging the city of Hazleton, Pa.'s recent crackdown on illegal immigrants.
The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, the first in the nation against a city that has passed an illegal immigration ordinance.
The group and other plaintiffs contend the measure is illegal, and they are asking a federal judge to prevent its enforcement.
Hazleton's illegal immigrant ordinance is one of the toughest of its kind in the United States. It imposes $1,000 fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, denies business permits to companies that give them jobs, and makes English the city's official language.
Cesar Perales is president of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund. He says the law is hurting immigrants who are in this country legally:
"One of our clients is an Italian woman who is here legally, who is a permanent resident, and actually lost [misplaced] her green card. And now she worries that she can't enroll her children in school."
Perales says other groups, including Puerto Ricans, are being harmed by the new law:
"Native-born Puerto Ricans, who are legal citizens, don't have immigration documents. But because they are Spanish speaking and are obviously Latinos, they can be asked to prove their citizenship or their right to be in this country. And this is just one example of one of the kinds of people who are already suffering damage."
The Hazleton ordinance has inspired nearly a dozen local governments in eastern Pennsylvania -- and several more throughout the nation -- to consider their own laws on illegal immigration.
Local officials will watch the Hazleton suit as a test case of their ability to take immigration matters into their own hands.
Can drug groups challenging the crackdown of illegal crack use be far behind?
Yes, folks, cracking down on illegal immigrants is, well, illegal.
Big Freaking Deal! Pull out your credentials--crisis ended!
That's the solution.
Just because you are white, blond and blue eyed does not mean you can't be a Canadian living in the U.S. illegally. Once you treat everybody the same (just as they do at the airport), the discrimination excuses will have no basis.
This is stupid beyond belief. I cannot believe a reporter quoted this verbatim without any explanation of the legalities in this situation. Duh.
Ditto !
She's probably overstayed her visa and didn't go home so it's more convenient to use the "lost" story.
Real simple.
MOVE
The Puerto Ricans have no dog in this fight, they are all American citizens by birth, there are no Puerto Rican "immigrants".
>>>The Puerto Ricans have no dog in this fight, they are all American citizens by birth, there are no Puerto Rican "immigrants".
No, but if they are being singled out to prove their citizenship and citizens that are white are not being required to do so, then they may have a dog in this fight.
Does anyone know what documents are required for tenants to show landlords?
Who is responsible for confirming their authenticity?
Will there be a fee associated with this citizenship check? If so, who pays it - the city, landlord or tenant?
Legal permanant residents are required to have their green cards on them when out and about. The woman can easily get a replacement from the issuing agency. This excuse is bunk. And probably a made up lie, to boot.
B U M P
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