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Illegal Immigration Relief Act Appeal

Illegal Immigration Relief Act Appeal - Monday, September 8, 2008 at 5:45PM EST

Monday, Sep 8, 2008 @ 05:45pm EST
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY- A federal judge declared Hazleton's Illegal Immigration Relief Act legislation unconstitutional 14 months ago. But the proposed city ordinance will get another shot in a Philadelphia federal appeals court on October 31st.

Mayor Lou Barletta says, "I firmly believe our case will be vindicated in the higher court."

The act was ruled unconstitutional in federal court last July. If passed, the city could have fined landlords and businesses for renting to or hiring illegal immigrants.

Some people who agreed to talk to us about the act say it's needed in the city. Rose Basista of Hazleton says, "They come into town, and they're getting free money, free food, everything for free, they don't pay taxes. And I agree with the mayor 100 percent that they really should take care of this because it's getting worse it's not getting better."

Since last July's ruling, appeal lawyers say two similar ordinances passed in towns in Missouri and Arizona. They think those cases will help overturn the relief act appeal. A hearing is set for October 31st.

Harold Michael of Hazleton wants the act passed through, to fine businesses hiring illegal immigrants. He says, "The people that do work, they deserve the jobs. People that are from the community need the jobs."

Appeal lawyers also say parties who sued Hazleton over the act had their identities hidden. In a news conference Monday morning, those lawyers said that will be brought up at the appeal.

Mayor Barletta says the illegal immigration problem has gotten worse since last July's ruling. "There were just two more arrested over the weekend. So we continue to see that, and we are also seeing that our taxes here are not growing with the population," says Barletta.

Once October's hearing is finished, a ruling could take up to a year.

Mayor Lou Barletta is running for Congress. He says he plans to back this act if the ruling is overturned, even if he's not in office. Barletta said today there is still enough donation money in a legal defense fund to carry the case through the appeal process.
 


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