What does everyone think about this story from Hazelton, PA on illegal immigrants?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070322/ap_on_re_us/illegal_immigrants_crackdown

I think Hazelton is on the right track and they are being sued because they want to keep the illegal immigrants out by imposing fines on businesses who employ them, and to landlords who rent to them. I know that they come here in search of a "better life", but I don't think that excuses the fact that they enter into our country illegally and leech off of our government, and take all the jobs for less pay. Other American citizens who engage in otherwise illegal behavior get punished...why are we PROTECTING these illegal immigrants????

Answer 1

I'm an American citizen and they can refuse to rent to me if I smoke, have a pet......why can't they refuse if you're not a citizen? I don't understand why I can be denied for something LEGAL and they get a free ride? I have to sign papers that say if any of my information that I put on an application is found to un-true...I can be dismissed immediatly. I have lived in places and had my visitors limited, number of autos in the parking lot....etc....I don't get it? Except I didn't have the money to fight it in court while these guys are being funded and getting it for free!

Answer 2

I think localities can put into effect laws that impact illegal immigrants. I am not sure about the rental one, because chilling the ability to get housing for LEGAL residents might be considered to be too much of a risk. I think they should have put that into a separate law so that if it were struck down they would still have the rest of it. Then again, they seem pretty flexible about being able to amend it at will.

summermo.. They changed the law so it no longer says that.

In fact, it never QUITE said that. It said that race and nationality could not be used as the 'primary' reason for a claim, and ACLU argued that meant it might be a 'secondary' reason for a claim, so they took that out too.

Answer 3

Hazleton's Illegal Immigration Relief Act, which the city council revised several times for legal reasons, would impose fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and deny business permits to companies that give them jobs. A companion ordinance would require tenants to register with City Hall and pay for a rental permit.

The act has been emulated by towns around the nation that believe the federal government hasn't done enough to stop illegal immigration. Enforcement of the Hazleton restrictions was barred pending the trial, the first in the nation to examine local efforts to curb illegal immigration.

The lawyers for both the ACLU and the city gave the closing arguments in court today,it may be weeks before the judge makes a decision in this law suit brought by the ACLU,the biggest anti -American group I know (next to La Raza Unida )
My state passed some good laws against the illegal aliens and they have stood up to tests and challenges. Since this government refuses to do anything ,the states and city's should be able to protect their city's.

Answer 4

I think it's a great idea,in reality all they are really doing is putting federal law into local statute since the feds have decided not to enforce the laws except when they need a good photo op. Funny how Bush could fire a US attorney for not prosecuting marijuana busts as rigorously as he would like when that is the least of our problems,but I don't see him doing anything about one of the biggest problems facing the US today.

AD

Answer 5

I agree with you. A city should have the right to enforce the law without being sued. And I don't they should be allowed to become sanctuary cities like we have here. That's a violation of the separation of church and state. What are they going to do next? Bring back the crusades and force us all to convert? We'd all be forced to be spanish speaking catholics. I'd say I'm exagerating to make a point, but I think there's alot of people who would like that to happen.

Answer 6

We don't have the financial resources to enforce the laws on the books because we spend too much money on other things.

Answer 7

Yes, Americans do get punished for breaking the law...I am glad that Hazelton is doing this...the illegal aliens need to wake up and go back to their OWN country!

Answer 8

I agree with you . People want to help others. Sadly, they should begin at home. We need the help of the ACLU, I am amazed that the ACLU seem to have forgotten the A stands for American civil liberties union NOT EVERYONE BUT AMERICANS civil liberties union. But this is just one irritated Americans view on the subject.

Answer 9

They certainly are trying to do something. I live about an hour away from Hazleton, and the problems they are having (and this whole are) are beyond control. Its time someone stepped up to the plate.

Answer 10

I'd love to see Hazelton win. As for the A C L U, what a sad sad group they are, they say they are fighting for rights, but we ( working America ) must ask ourselves, whos rights ?