Posted on 08/16/2006 4:00:33 AM PDT by Aussie Dasher
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- Hispanic activists and the American Civil Liberties Union sued the city of Hazleton yesterday over one of the toughest crackdowns on illegal aliens by a U.S. city.
Hazleton, with a population of about 31,000 and located 80 miles from Philadelphia, voted last month to fine landlords $1,000 for renting to illegal aliens, deny business permits to companies that give them jobs and make English the city's official language.
The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund said the lawsuit is the first in the nation against a city that passed an ordinance against illegal immigration. The group and other plaintiffs contend that the Constitution gives the federal government exclusive power to regulate immigration and that the Hazleton ordinance is discriminatory and unworkable.
"It makes every person who looks or sounds foreign a suspect, including those who are here legally," said Witold Walczak, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania. "You might as well just paint a target on every foreigner's forehead or a sign saying, 'Please treat me differently.'"
Mayor Lou Barletta, who proposed the ordinance after two illegal aliens were charged with fatally shooting a man, had no comment.
Frustrated by inaction in Washington, many cities and states have passed measures to restrict or punish illegal aliens and those who do business with them. Some local officials see the Hazleton lawsuit as a test of their ability to take immigration matters into their own hands.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
They're trying to blackmail the city of Hazelton's taxpayers. Give in or pay up.
Congress should pass some legislation that would immunize municipalities from lawsuits like this.
To paraphrase Jack Nicholsons "Joker" in "Batman"
"This country needs an enema"
Start at the top of the list and finish at the bottom!
Boo f'n hoo-talk about a perfect example of a frivolous lawsuit...
Since when do people in our country ILLEGALLY have a standing to be taken seriously and sue anyone? The world is being turned upside down.
....and spend some money and offer some support. They're going to need it.
The ACLU will come in and try to bankrupt the city with these lawsuits until they back down. I sure hope a lawyer will handle this case pro bono. If Hazelton continues this fight, this little town could be the turning point for cities and towns across the nation who are sick and tired of the illegals.
We strip Citizenship of its dignity, by reducing it from a priveledge to an entitlement.
In a sane and Just America this lawsuit wouldn't even be filed, let alone heard.
If I were judge, my first question to the plaintiffs would be: "What standing do you have before this court?" After they told me everything but "as citizens of the United States", I would say: "good day, NEXT!"
This is the trend in the US. When the feds fail to do their job the locals will take over and watch for the cities that get it right to proser and the others turn into third world sh-t holes like LA, Miami,NYC or many others.
Our elected officials have the same attitudes regarding their positions, they also feel they are entitled to their seats instead of priviledged. We the people now have a huge job to do. WE MUST TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!! I know people will say it is the federal goverments job, well you know what, our goverment belongs to us, we the people, not 100 senators. This could be the catalyst, if Hazelton wins this fight the citizens of other small towns across the nation will demand it for their towns as well. If my house if flooding, I know enough to shut the water off while I wait for the plummer to come and fix it.
Nice play of the race card.
Unfortunately for you, it's not a trump card at this table.
We have arrived. Foreigners suing us over our own policies. The point of madness has almost been attained.
I wonder if their is a way to donate money to Hazleton to help with the defense of this suit?
Or maybe I'll just move their and support them with my tax dollars.
Call a duck a duck. They are terrorists.
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