I finally felt some hope again after reading this, Billybob.
I am not doubting you - I am just being careful not to be too hopeful about the outcome of this case. Are there precedents about the 3 issues in this case that make you say Hazelton will win them?
I just read your bio - NC attorney who argued before the SC! Impressive. I'm glad you're on our side and are keeping tabs on the Hazelton case for us. Thanks.
Barletta reinforced to defend law
August 21, 2006
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Barletta said he will continue to solicit donations for the Hazleton Legal Defense Fun through the Web site www.smalltowndefenders.com to cover Kobach's fees. If the city loses the lawsuit, it could be responsible for paying the plaintiffs' legal fees as well.
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In a telephone interview on Sunday, Kobach said he decided to honor Barletta's request to take the case because he's "been involved in immigration law enforcement for a long time, both in the U.S. Department of Justice, and as a private attorney who believes we need to enforce our immigration laws."
"When Hazleton took the lead in passing this ordinance, I felt it was important to be defended and wanted to offer my services to do so," Kobach said.
"I believe that discouraging employers from hiring illegal aliens is one of the most important things that a local or state entity can do to support the federal government in restoring the rule of law in immigration. Jobs are the magnets that lure illegal aliens into this country," Kobach said.
Regarding the landlord provisions in the ordinance, Kobach said that "for decades, it has been a crime under federal law to harbor illegal aliens. A fundamental component of harboring is knowingly providing housing to illegal aliens. And this local statute reinforces federal law in that respect."
And regarding English as the official language of the city, Kobach said "more than 20 states already have a law on the books making English the official language of the state. Those laws have been tested in court and they have been upheld."
Kobach said he agreed to accept reduced rates for his legal fees because "Hazleton is not a big city and does not have legions of lawyers and the kind of tax base to throw tons of money at this. I wanted to help in any way that I can, and one way is to offer a rate that's less expensive than a Philadelphia law firm."
Fortunately for Barletta and the city's coffers, officials from the Mountain States Legal Foundation and the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR, have offered free additional legal assistance.
FAIR's Web site identifies it as an immigration reform group whose 200,000 members and supporters fund "research, public education, media outreach, grassroots organizing, government relations, litigation and advocacy at the national, state and local levels."
The site boasts that FAIR's publications and research are used by academics and government officials in preparing new legislation, and that the organization has been called to testify on immigration bills before Congress more than any organization in America.
Barletta said Kobach had been in contact with FAIR officials during the weekend, and they have signed on board. Mountain States, according to its Web site, is "a nonprofit, public interest law firm" that "undertakes nationally significant public interest litigation, throughout the country, without charge on behalf of deserving clients."
Current high-profile cases in which Mountain States is assisting in the representation of government entities include:
• Maria Gonzalez and others versus the state of Arizona and others – at issue is whether Arizona may require proof positive of U.S. citizenship in order to vote in state elections.
Barletta said Mountain States' president and chief legal officer William Perry Pendley flew in from Colorado and met with him on Friday to discuss the case. "I believe this is the best immigration law team we could put together. They're the top in their field and have vast experience in the issue," Barletta said.
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