freeSpeech: Lou Barletta

In the next 60 seconds, six illegal aliens will be added to America's population.

Some will climb over a fence. Others will sneak off a boat. And others will overstay an expired visa. All expect to find a better life here in the United States. But all are breaking the law.

There are up to 20 million illegal aliens in this country right now. They have imposed a tremendous burden on many of America's cities.

That's why I took action.

I saw my city gripped by fear. Because of violent acts committed by illegal aliens, my residents were afraid to shop — or even drive — on certain streets.

Illegal immigration was draining Hazleton's limited resources. Our small police department, our schools, and health care system were beginning to feel the strain. Legal residents were on the verge of being denied the services their tax dollars paid for.

Thousands of cities in America are crying out for relief from the burden of illegal immigration. Small towns like mine can no longer wait for Washington.

In Hazleton, we created ordinances designed to deter landlords and businesses from renting to and hiring illegals. Those who knowingly break our laws will face financial penalties. These laws will make Hazleton one of the toughest cities in the nation for illegals.

In 2004, Time magazine determined that 3 million illegals enter the country every year. That's six every single minute. Enough is enough.

The federal government has failed us, so we, the elected officials of small-town America, are getting tough with illegal immigration.

I'm Lou Barletta, and I'm a small town defender.

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Lou Barletta is the mayor of Hazleton, Pa..

[swallace13-2009]

Some of these comments are idiotic! "The Pentagon is a welfare program"!? That's utter stupidity! You obviously have never done anything for your country, or you would appreciate the sacrifice that we vets have made.

I live in San Diego. We have a huge illegal population. They get free medical and free education. Our laws preclude schools or hospitals from asking for verification of their legality. I have worked for 41 years. My current employer does not have an insurance plan. They can get medical treatment, and I cannot.

The Democratic candidate for Senate has actually publically urged illegal immigrants to vote because our state laws do not allow the poll workers to request any verification of eligibility.

I have compassion for immigrants. My husband is a first generation American. But I just cannot afford to continue to support them financially!

[kailumego1]

fredaO, I understand your plight, yes, they should learn English, as it is the standard language, but I'm quite sure they don%u2019t get any preferential treatment, as far as, receiving governmental benefits. And if you are having trouble getting disability for your husband, there are lawyers who specialize in %u201CSocial Security%u201D law, as I%u2019m quite sure you%u2019ll be satisfied. The Social Security system is a tricky one, in which the person or individual has to meet a certain criteria, as a lawyer who specializes in this area will better help you. However, the fault doesn%u2019t lie on %u201Cillegal-immigrants%u201D, but the constraints and bureaucracy of the system itself.
We need to stop blaming others for inappropriateness of our government, and start making them accountable to our needs. After all, you are a taxpayer, these services should be available if you need them, and not the opposite, but that is their fault, it is the bureaucratic hegemony of our government.

[freda072000]

It's fine they are in our country, but they need to be legal. If not send them back. They also need to know english. I am a 9-1-1 operator and I know some spanish just to get by. Why should I know there language if they want to be Americans?
I usually end up talking to the child to find out what the emergency is, which is usally not the correct problem. My husband is disabeled and I work full time and take care of him, but yet to get any kind of help I have to prove so many things to get help, why not them. I am part Indian and still not getting help!!!!

[kailumego1]

It's my understanding that whenever a child is enrolled in school his/her parents have to present "school records". Then it is up the attending school to follow through with the implementation. Also, from my understanding, if that particular individual doesn't have adequate documentation his/her child can't enroll.
And, as far as, the "free-lunch program", most Americans don't support in the first place, because (a) they argue over taxes being paid and (b) it's design was to help inner-city children, in which many conservatives are vehemently against.
So, I don't understand?
This country spend billions giving "welfare" or as they call it tax breaks to corporations each year. I'm puzzle why aren't these concern citizens in an uproar about that?
And the "biggest" welfare recipient the Pentagon, has over-spent billions, and again, why haven't Americans demonstrated the same outrage as with the "illegal" immigrant issue.

[tejasdemo]

I dont care if they are illegal but at least make them pay for the same things I do. When a free school lunch program is offered and the illegals claim they make no money make them prove it individually just like they would make me. Where do you live ? How many live in the house ? What is your income ? How many adults live in the house ? What is their income ? Do they contribute to the house payment ? How do you make the payment ? What kind of car do you drive ? Do you make payments ? How ?

Make the assistant prinicpal do it at each school. Go and verify the info.

That's a start. Anybody can lie on a form.

[kailumego1]

Belllal, well you said it, now doesn%u2019t unburdening yourself of all that excess baggage make you feel like a new person.
This is a country of %u201Cillegal%u201D immigrants, and if people like you were brave enough to acknowledge that, then the moral foundation of this country would be so much better.
I%u2019m not saying open the floodgates, but recognize the fact, American corporations exploit less-developed countries for their resources and labor, and whenever members of that exploited country ventures across our borders, people like you, and many others, want to handcuff and throw them in jail.
Let%u2019s be for real here, since you are so candid, the only reason people like you are in such uproar is because these individuals are non-European.

[kailumego1]

uproar is because these individuals are non-European.
So, the oxymoron here, the indiscriminate methods of selection, people of color are sent packing, while European immigrants are given the %u201Cred-carpet%u201D.
If you are going to stand behind a principle or logic then be man/woman enough to ethically see that it is applied to everyone, and not those whom you feel are unacceptable.
That%u2019s the problem I have with those who vehemently argue how %u201Cillegal%u201D aliens consume the resources of hard-working Americans, while indiscriminately categorizing certain ethnic groups in derogatory terms.
If you%u2019re going to strongly oppose %u201Cimmigration%u201D, then vocalize your ranting and ravings to those corporations that build factories in Mexico, India, China and Bangladesh, illegally and immorally confiscating these countries resources and starving individuals. And I realize the governments of Mexico, India, China, and Bangladesh are corrupt, however, that doesn%u2019t grant U.S. corporations hegemony over the people.
If these workers were paid a %u201Cliving%u201D wage they wouldn%u2019t need to cross our borders..

[bellal-2009]

kailumego1, let's just open the country to everyone and anyone, no borders, just a frigging free for all. Come one, come all, no need to worry about housing or food we'll cover it. We don't give a c.r.a.p., we're a bunch of spoiled capitalists and don't deserve a country anyway.

[kailumego1]

And one more point, Europeans did cross American borders in an "invasionary" way, get your facts straight.

[kailumego1]

First, of all both North and South America's predominance was that of indigenous Natives, not Mexicans; remember the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas. It was Spanish settlers that encroached upon the Native population and amalgamated them with European blood. So, therefore, the Mexican population is a mixture of European, African, and indigenous natives.
And being one of African American, it is racist to surreptitiously state Mexicans, or Hispanics are responsible for the gratuitous violence in America, when the majority of violent acts are %u201Cblack on black%u201D, and greater than 50% of those incarcerated are blacks.
I%u2019m quite surprised that a targeted minority would so pretentiously fault another targeted minority for the degradation of American society, when it is obvious who the real villain is %u201CCAPITALISM%u201D.
These so-called %u201Cillegal%u201D Mexicans are no different than any other citizen here trying to provide the best for his/her family.
And like other minorities they have been seriously exploited by Corporate America.
You are forgetting about migrant Mexican workers during the 60%u2019s and how they organized to fight against Californian grape producers. These individuals have contributed to this society, as well as others, they worked at jobs, yes, many Americans wouldn%u2019t have considered.
So, if you are going to extrapolate data or facts, make sure you got your facts straight.