Hazleton, Pennsylvania passes an ordinance intended to make it "one of the most difficult places in the U.S. for illegal immigrants"

[pedroh 21]

although i agree with these measures.. i do think also it's better to conduct government related business in english..

[Fandango 1,439]

Bravo to the Mayor!!!!

[incanada1234 0]

I never understood why I see the term 'undocumented workers".

It's called being politically correct.

[munchkins 0]

I absolutely agree and just wish that someone in this government in the UK, or council leaders etc would take the same stance,without being castigated by the politically correct, "racist brigade"

[rob&ana 0]

Landlords can do security checks... I got charged 35 dollars from a landlord to check our history and security checks. Requested our SSN and ID's....

I thought it was ok, since it gave me guarantee that I was not going to be neighbors with not so nice people.

Good for Hazleton, cause I understand that there are loads and loads of illegal immigrants there...

[tsunamihart 0]

An Open Letter from Mayor Lou Barletta:

I believe the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth. People who are in this country have an incredible amount of opportunities and blessings. But some people have taken advantage of America’s openness and tolerance. Some come to this country and refuse to learn English, creating a language barrier for city employees. Others enter the country illegally and use government services by not paying taxes or by committing crime on our streets, further draining resources here in Hazleton.

Illegal immigration leads to higher crime rates, contributes to overcrowded classrooms and failing schools, subjects our hospitals to fiscal hardship and legal residents to substandard quality of care, and destroys our neighborhoods and diminishes our overall quality of life.

The City of Hazleton is empowered and mandated by the people of Hazleton to abate the nuisance of illegal immigration by aggressively prohibiting and punishing the acts, policies, people and businesses that aid and abet illegal aliens. That is why I proposed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act.

Part of this ordinance, if enacted, would punish companies that hire illegal immigrants by denying them permits, making it harder for them to renew permits and forcing their loss of city business.

Another part would hold landlords accountable. Because people moving into the city naturally require a place to sleep, our landlords are our first line of defense. Landlords who rent to illegal immigrants—that is, who rent to people without checking their documentation, may be fined $1,000.00 for every illegal immigrant staying on their properties.

The final part of this ordinance makes English the official language of Hazleton. All city documents will only be available in English. Those applying for a permit would have to speak English. While our emergency services will never be denied to anyone because of a language barrier, every other aspect of city business will be conducted only in English. Let me be clear, this ordinance is intended to make Hazleton one of the most difficult places in the U.S. for illegal immigrants.

This measure is not racist because it does not target one particular race. The Illegal Immigration Relief Act is intended to deter and punish any illegal immigration in the City of Hazleton. Requiring the use of English does not target any other language; it merely states that no matter what language you prefer to speak at home, English will be spoken when you conduct business with Hazleton officials.

Illegal Immigration is a drain on city resources. Every domestic incident, every traffic accident, every noise complaint, each time we send our police department, fire department or code enforcement officer to respond, it costs taxpayer dollars.

If the City of Hazleton began publishing official documents or conducting business in a second language, how would we respond when someone asks us to use a third, or fourth language?

Recent crimes – the shooting on Chestnut Street, the discharge of firearms at the Pine Street Playground, and high profile drug busts – have involved illegal immigrants. Sadly, some of those allegedly involved in those crimes were detained by other law enforcement officials over the years, but were somehow allowed to remain in this country. They eventually migrated into Hazleton, where they helped create a sense of fear in the good, hardworking residents who are here legally.

This ordinance does not roll back the welcome mat to those who are legally in the United States. This country was built on the backs of legal immigrants. My own great grandparents came to this country seeking a better life. Rather, this ordinance seeks to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into Hazleton. They are not welcome here!

To the residents of Hazleton, I say thank you for your continued support. Hazleton is moving forward and becoming an even better place to live. To our recently arrived legal immigrants, I say welcome. I personally wish you all the best. With hard work and determination, the United States and Hazleton can be a place where your dreams come true. And to illegal immigrants and those who would hire or abet them in any way, I say your time is up. You are no longer welcome.

http://www.hazletoncity.org/illegal_immigration_petition.htm

The ordinance was later approved.. here is the PDF of the approved ordinance : http://www.hazletoncity.org/2006_10_Illega..._Act_%20NEW.pdf

What's really funny is that I lived about 20mins from Hazleton and it's the Mafia Hideout of the world. There's more illegal Sicilians there than anywhere on the east coast of the US. This really cracks me up

[rebeccajo 14]

Interestingly enough, I see no penalty in this ordinance for the actual illegal alien renter. The penalty is solely on the landlord.

Probably because there is an assumption that the landlord has deeper pockets than the EWI.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Interestingly enough, I see no penalty in this ordinance for the actual illegal alien renter. The penalty is solely on the landlord.

Probably because there is an assumption that the landlord has deeper pockets than the EWI.

Yeah but for consistency's sake, shouldn't there be a punishment for the alien too? Prison time, if nothing else?

This is kind of like fining the john but letting the hoe go. Or vice versa.

[CarolineM 0]

who knows if it will work - but I like it.

[irishgirl73 0]

I think it's great

Interestingly enough, I see no penalty in this ordinance for the actual illegal alien renter. The penalty is solely on the landlord.

Probably because there is an assumption that the landlord has deeper pockets than the EWI.

Yeah but for consistency's sake, shouldn't there be a punishment for the alien too? Prison time, if nothing else?

This is kind of like fining the john but letting the hoe go. Or vice versa.

but would an illegal alien give their real name-or show up for a court date?

Edited July 18, 2006 by irishgirl73

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Interestingly enough, I see no penalty in this ordinance for the actual illegal alien renter. The penalty is solely on the landlord.

Probably because there is an assumption that the landlord has deeper pockets than the EWI.

Yeah but for consistency's sake, shouldn't there be a punishment for the alien too? Prison time, if nothing else?

This is kind of like fining the john but letting the hoe go. Or vice versa.

but would an illegal alien give their real name-or show up for a court date?

Maybe not, but what excuse is there for not even bothering to try?

[Traviesa 0]

Interestingly enough, I see no penalty in this ordinance for the actual illegal alien renter. The penalty is solely on the landlord.

Probably because there is an assumption that the landlord has deeper pockets than the EWI.

Yeah but for consistency's sake, shouldn't there be a punishment for the alien too? Prison time, if nothing else?

This is kind of like fining the john but letting the hoe go. Or vice versa.

but would an illegal alien give their real name-or show up for a court date?

Maybe not, but what excuse is there for not even bothering to try?

What illegal alien needs a court date? All they need to do is arrest them on the spot, hold them in the local jail, then move them around until they can find their way to York, PA (they don't even have to leave the state) where they can be deported. Not that hard.

[irishgirl73 0]

Interestingly enough, I see no penalty in this ordinance for the actual illegal alien renter. The penalty is solely on the landlord.

Probably because there is an assumption that the landlord has deeper pockets than the EWI.

Yeah but for consistency's sake, shouldn't there be a punishment for the alien too? Prison time, if nothing else?

This is kind of like fining the john but letting the hoe go. Or vice versa.

but would an illegal alien give their real name-or show up for a court date?

Maybe not, but what excuse is there for not even bothering to try?

What illegal alien needs a court date? All they need to do is arrest them on the spot, hold them in the local jail, then move them around until they can find their way to York, PA (they don't even have to leave the state) where they can be deported. Not that hard.

TRUE

[rebeccajo 14]

Interestingly enough, I see no penalty in this ordinance for the actual illegal alien renter. The penalty is solely on the landlord.

Probably because there is an assumption that the landlord has deeper pockets than the EWI.

Yeah but for consistency's sake, shouldn't there be a punishment for the alien too? Prison time, if nothing else?

This is kind of like fining the john but letting the hoe go. Or vice versa.

If the town of Hazelton actually knows where an EWI is housed, do you not think they will be giving DHS a little phone call?

Fiddlesticks - I actually had to work for a few minutes there and missed you all debating this.

Edited July 18, 2006 by rebeccajo

[Scott & Lai 12]

If the town of Hazelton actually knows where an EWI is housed, do you not think they will be giving DHS a little phone call?

Fiddlesticks - I actually had to work for a few minutes there and missed you all debating this.

"EWI"?