Comments on: Welcome To Hazleton

One Mayor's Controversial Plan To Deal With Illegal Immigration

[suziqcooking]

For over 100 years this has been an issue. In 1907, from Theodore Roosevelt:Theodore Roosevelt on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN

Are we "SLOW LEARNERS" or what?

Theodore Roosevelt on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

[suziqcooking]

This is not discrimination. If they are not legally here, they need to leave. I would like to not pay taxes or health care either but that's life in the US. When these City's have meetings and protestors come, just set up some immigration buses and see what happens!

[kinich74]

Basically the problem is that most people think "Mexican" or "Hispanic" when we think of illegal aliens rather than a concotion of people from all sort of nationalities and ethnic
Well to finish this can you really try to say a Hispanic isn't an illegal if you have been brought up to see an illegal in every "Mexican" despite the fact that person may have been legalized or even nationalized a long time ago, and worst, it could be a Spanish American (the ones we took in 1847 remember, and a few perhaps when we bought Florida) or someone whose family has been in the US for as long as those that came on Ellis Islands, as some Southwest residents who move east looking for jobs, many of them Agricultural workers since due to a racist rethoric that has long existed in the Southwest many were denied any education at all, in the horrible days of segregation the State of Texas had to provide "schools for children of color" but there was never any real proviso for "Mexicans" (despite the fact, back them most were Texas-born Tejanos) and ranchers didn't want it to, so it wasn't really until almost the 1980s most Hispanics have learned to do something else, so just remember that some of these fieldworkers may be bona-fide US Citizens, now the question is can you tell who is a US Citizen, who is a legal alien, who is documented and who is not?
Unless we want to tag legal residents like Jews and Gypsies in Nazi Germany I suggest people in Hazzleton, Penn. think of something else.

[bren4824]

crazzyRe:

"I have read several people that have said that the Democrats are courting the hispanics for votes."

I am an Independent. However, I will say that this is definitely true. Prior to the elections, when cities were passing laws requiring proof of citizenship in order to vote in our elections, it was the Democrats who protested the most about this. Why would anyone not want to ensure that only legal citizens are voting in our elections? They knew that if the illegals were given the opportunity to vote, they would vote Democrat.

Also, they are hoping that if they cater to/accommodate the illegals, then they will get the legal Hispanic votes as well.

[bren4824]

crazzyRe:

Go to www.numbersusa.com to sign the petitions available through their site.

In addition, you can find a lot of information/links for the fight against illegal immigration through www.americanpatrol.com

[kxg177]

I am from Hazleton and have lived here most of my life. I completely support the acts of my wonderful mayor. I have no problem with someone that comes to my city for a better life, but legally. I just cannot understand how anyone cannot agree with what Mayor Lou is doing. There is no exception to the word illegal. Drugs are illegal, murder is illegal, rape is illegal, etc. So what makes ILLEGAL aliens an exception to the rule? Is being an illegal alien just not as illegal as other crimes? A crime is a crime. I work 2 jobs to support myself and pay a higher rent to live in an area of Hazleton that I feel is a better area and then 8 blocks from my house is a double murder committed by an illegal immigrant. So now he is going to trial, that my tax dollars have to pay for when he shouldn't be here anyway. Illegal aliens committed a crime by entering this country, obviously they have no regard for the law so what's to say they will obey them once they are here. My question to the lawyers bringing suit against the city of Hazleton is, how can you bring suit on behalf of people that cannot even step into a courtroom legally? All of these lawyers can bring suit against the city of Hazleton but where do they live? I highly doubt they would even walk down certain streets in Hazleton at night, hell they wouldn't even want to drive down them. (I know I don't) Mayor Lou is just trying to protect the people that elected him. I am very proud to say that Mayor Lou Barletta is my mayor.

[crazzyre]

I have read several people that have said that the Democrats are courting the hispanics for votes. That maybe in your state but where we live they don't court the hispanic vote because everyone knows that there are more illegals than legals. The illegals do not vote the sit on their butts and draw our government funded benefits that when any of us have needed it has not been available. Send all of them back to their own countries!

[lunachick71]

jonischurr...

Why do you think Mayor Barletta's family (and others in Hazleton) came here illegally? If you would like, I can show you the documentation, from Ellis Island, from when my family came here LEGALLY. They didn't sneak in, use false documents, etc. They came through the proper channels, with the proper documentation, and assimilated into the American culture.

Also, why do you think that everyone in Hazleton is a racist? We just want our town to be what is was. We want to be able to walk the streets without fear, we want our children to be able to play at a playground without fear of being shot, we want to be able to go to the ER and be cared for in a timely mannor - you want to talk about something that is appalling? Last year, I brought my father to the ER - he was there for nearly 27 hours!

I'll be the first to say that not all crime is committed by illegal aliens - the latest shooting (of a 9 year old boy) was done by a legal citizen. But, there are a number of crimes committed by illegal aliens - including murder, drive by shootings, and numerous drug arrests. If we can cut crime, by getting rid of the illegal aliens, why shouldn't we want this? Then the police will have more time to focus on the rest of the criminals.

jonischurr - please come and live in Hazleton, for just a few months. After that, you are free to criticize us all you want.

[crazzyre]

PattyPea I agree with you. The only rights to be had are by citizens because these rights we speak about were created for the citizens. Keep on speaking out. Hey maybe we should all get a petition going that we can send to our government.

[bren4824]

heyref50:

Are you crazy? McCain supports providing citizenship/amnesty to the millions of illegal invaders who are currently in this country. Did you not hear of the Bush/McCain/Kennedy Bill, in other words, the Senate Bill?

I think that we should hope to see Tom Tancredo and Jim Gilchrist run as a team.

[kelleyjane]

Part 2
10. In L.A. County 5.1 million people speak English. 3.9 million speak Spanish.

(There are 10.2 million people in L.A. County ).


(All the above from the Los Angeles Times)

Less than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops, but 29% are on welfare.

Over 70% of the United States ' annual opulation growth (and over 90% of California , Florida , and New York )results from immigration.


The cost of immigration to the American taxpayer in 1997 was, (after subtracting taxes immigrants pay), a NET $70 BILLION/year, [Professor Donald Huddle, Rice University ]. The lifetime
fiscal impact (taxes paid minus services used) for the average adult Mexican immigrant is a NEGATIVE number.

29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens.

If they can come to this country to raise Hell and demonstrate by the thousands, WHY can't they take charge over the corruption in their own country?


We are a bunch of fools for letting this continue

[kelleyjane]

From the L.A. Times Part 1

1. 40% of all workers in L.A. County ( L.A. County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This was because they are predominantly illegal immigrants, working without a green card.

2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.


3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.


4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.

5. 25% of inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.

6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.


7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.

8. 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.

9. 21 radio stations in L.A. are Spanish speaking.

[heyref50]

Kudos to Mayor Barletta for having the courage to do something about the runaway train of illegal immigration. Reform has to start SOMEWHERE, why not Hazelton ?
As an aside, would you like to see a record voter turnout in 2008 ? How about a McCain - Barletta ticket ? You heard it here first.

[flore1-2009]

I applaud the actions of Mayor Lou Barletta and the citizens of Hazleton, PA. Our government has allowed and encouraged illegal aliens to enter our country without documentation. The ACLU has said these aliens have civil rights, totally ignoring the fact that they have committed a crime by entering this nation illegally! Many illegals have jobs but need public assistance to survive, causing higher taxes for Americans.

[bren4824]

Yep, these are some of the people that are freely and easily coming into our country.

11.20.06

Threat to US citizens forces Mx officials to lock down town, Tx. Sheriff boosts security

"The Mexican military increased its presence in the town, and Hudspeth County Sheriff Arvin West tells ABC-7 he's ready to send man power into the area on the US side of the border.

Sheriff West added that his office recently heard of plans to kidnap US citizens, and transport them across the border to be killed in Guadalupe. According to Sheriff West, Victor Canello a man with ties to Fort Hancock was taken to Guadalupe and shot.

West adds that he and his office are treating the threat seriously."

Cont'd below......

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?s=5709913

[pattypea]

I am a black woman, 49 years old. I was able to see the discrimination of black americans and some others too. But right now I am outraged at the way that this country is treating "illegal" immigrants. They have absolutely no rights here. They are "ILLEGAL" if me or my son did anything illegal we would be punished for it. There are consequences for illegality and it should not be have a child here and you can stay here and we'll pay for the child. Or come on and go to jail here and we'll take care of you for the next 20 years b/c our jails are better than living in your country. Well whatever! I say enforce the laws that are in place. We don't know who we have over here. If terrorist want to get to us just tell them go through Mexico

[beckyal2]

Laws against supporting or helping illegals are on the federal books, all local communities are doing are enforcing these laws so that they can enforce them without getting in the federal/state/local enforcement debate. All local communities should enact local laws so that they can enforce laws. What would be productive is for them to file a lawsuit against the federal government to have them enforce the immigrancy laws that are on the books.

[bren4824]

If our government does not do its job and protect us from this illegal invasion, then individual cities throughout the country have the right to do so. It is the mayor's responsibility to protect his town and his citizens from harm. By passing these laws against the illegal invaders, the mayor is doing his job of protecting his city and protecting his citizens. Legal, US citizens have rights. Illegal, invaders into our country have no rights except to be treated fairly and humanely until they are deported.

If other cities/states throughout the country do not want all of the illegals stampeding to their areas, then they will also need to pass laws similar to those in Hazleton. Currently there are at least 50 cities who have passed--or are getting ready to pass--laws similar to those in Hazleton. If the illegals have no place to live, work, and they are not eligible for any social benefits unless they prove citizenship--they will begin to leave on their own. There will be nothing here for them, so they will self deport.

It is not a matter of "white" men committing crimes in our country. The point is, the illegals do not belong here. They are here illegally and committing these crimes against legal, US citizens. If our immigration laws were enforced, they would not be here, and innocent US citizens would not become victims of their lawlessness.

[seraphina1]

There is a problem in the U.S concerning the influx of immigration yes this is a fact but it must be controlled on a federal level so that the entire U.S will be in accord. If not what is going to happen is that the states or cities that do not pass this Law are going to have a HUGE influx of Illgal aliens and the rest will have a huge drain. This is not a good thing economically and it will lead to huge conflict in bigger cities such as cities in New York, New Jersey, and Philidelphia. It has been stated by many sociologists and other researchers that these cities would go through another "depression" without these people and a drain would cause caos. These facts are overlooked. Yes things have to be regulated but things have to be done the right way without taking matters into your own hands. What happens if the law isn't passed because it is considered against federal law and unconstitutional is everyone in Hazleton going to start persecuting those who they "think" are illegal personally. Then answer me this how are you going to recognize the illegals from the legals? Asking them for their papers and looking on a federal website that is innacurate 20% of the time or lets just throw out everyone who has an accent spanish, romanian, or otherwise. Yeah I thought so.

[seraphina1]

There is a problem in the U.S concerning the influx of immigration yes this is a fact but it must be controlled on a federal level so that the entire U.S will be in accord. If not what is going to happen is that the states or cities that do not pass this Law are going to have a HUGE influx of Illgal aliens and the rest will have a huge drain. This is not a good thing economically and it will lead to huge conflict in bigger cities such as cities in New York, New Jersey, and Philidelphia. It has been stated by many sociologists and other researchers that these cities would go through another "depression" without these people and a drain would cause caos. These facts are overlooked. Yes things have to be regulated but things have to be done the right way without taking matters into your own hands. What happens if the law isn't passed because it is considered against federal law and unconstitutional is everyone in Hazleton going to start persecuting those who they "think" are illegal personally. Then answer me this how are you going to recognize the illegals from the legals? Asking them for their papers and looking on a federal website that is innacurate 20% of the time or lets just throw out everyone who has an accent spanish, romanian, or otherwise. Yeah I thought so.