Hazleton Update

Hazleton, Pennsylvania has passed the strongest anti-illegal immigrant law in the country. (Initial report on Hazleton here). The controversial measure would fine landlords renting to illegals and deny business licenses to employers who hire illegals.

City documents would be printed in English, landlords would face $1,000 fines for each illegal immigrant found renting their properties and business who employ illegal immigrants wouldn't be granted licenses.

The ordinance, designed to make the city one of the most hostile in the country for illegal immigrants, passed on a 4-to-1 vote after two hours of passionate debate.

"The illegal citizens, I would recommend they leave," said Mayor Lou Barletta, who said he wore a bulletproof vest to the vote as a precaution because the issue was emotionally charged.

The measure has divided the former coal town about 80 miles northwest of Philadelphia and thrust the 31,000-population city to the fore of the national debate on illegal immigration. After the vote, hundreds of people on both sides of the issue congregated outside City Hall, separated by a line of police officers brought in anticipation of any trouble.

Barletta proposed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act last month as a response to what he said were Hazleton's problems with violent crime, crowded schools, hospital costs and the demand for services. Opponents argued it was divisive and possibly illegal, but supporters argued illegal immigrants' growing numbers have damaged the quality of life in this northeastern Pennsylvania city.

"What you see here tonight, really, is a city that wants to take back what America has given it," Barletta said.

The usual attempts to reframe the issue by activists is, of course, underway. One person is quoted as calling illegal immigrants "undocumented". Another legal immigrant says she feels "unwelcome". Nope, if you're legal you are welcome. If you came here illegally, just don't try to live in Hazleton.

Hazleton will be a battleground for the activists is what I predict.

Other Links to this Post

1. Blue Crab Boulevard » Blog Archive » Can I Call Them Or What? — Sunday, 16 July , 2006 @ 8:32 am