freeSpeech: Lou Barletta

Pennsylvania Mayor Speaks About Illegal Immigrants

(CBS)  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.

---

Lou Barletta is the mayor of Hazleton, Pa..

[rachftg]

No one,not even the greatest advocate for immigration,can deny that the undocumented put some strain on this country's resources.That Barletta uses the term illegal alien,though,is sensationalism;the phrase holds an incredibly negative connotation.It is dehumanizing and carries with it an arrogance that is associated with stereotypical white America.As someone who was born in this country and is part of "white America",I resent that Barletta epitomizes this stereotype.The tone and phrasing he uses make him appear nationalistic and individualistic,two qualities for which the United States is criticized.He spoke vaguely about the services being denied to the citizens of Hazleton because of the immigrants living in the town.What he fails to mention are that these so called "illegals" are not eligible for many of the programs in which his citizens participate;they cannot enroll in welfare,nor can undocumented adults receive anything but emergency medical care.Barletta also failed to note immigrants' contributions to American society.If they go shopping in Hazleton,they pay sales tax,and three quarters of undocumented immigrants pay Social Security tax.It is proven that America relies on the participation of immigrants in the labor force.All I can hope is that Barletta stops using the phrase "illegal aliens".There is nothing more disappointing than watching the powerful display ignorance.

[oaxaca5]

Lou Barletta as a mayor of a city, I know that you know better. The "illegal Aliens" do pay taxes and they don't get any benefits from doing so. They don't get social security, they don't get SSI, and they can't get welfare, and if the people of your town are afraid of brown skin people they have the problem, you can't tell me all the "illegal aliens" are criminal types, you know that's not true. You should be ashamed.

[godshorn]

Mayor Barletta should research the true American History. Not the history of the United States of America. If he did, he would understand that the mexicans were in California and Texas and other states prior to the pilgrims or immigrants landing on the land of America. The immigrants were the ones who cross the Mexican's borders and basically stole their lands. Prior to becoming states this land was made up of different countries who eventually banded together and became the united states to fight those who already resided here and to steal their land. Why do the so-called Native Americans have to stay on reservation?. When Abranoff, Delay and Ley stoled 32 millions dollars from the Indians, why didn't someone go into their bank accounts return the money stolen from the Indians. If you want to talk about dangerous, what did the Negroes suffer at the hands of the Caucasions. I That is another part of history Mayor Barletta needs to research. Who gives Mayor Barletta the right to push out those whose ancestors resided on this land and were indigenous to this land as well as other cultures prior to any white man or immigrant coming to North America. In addition, Mayor Barletta needs to research his own history.

Shalom,

[frankly6]

Illigals don't pay taxes. You have to have a social security # to pay taxes. We simply have to inforce the imigration laws that are already on the books while making allowances for the needs of industries like agriculture. We also need to monitor and be honest about the affects of imigration on the quality of life for legal citizens of this country. The wide open border free for all is simply not good for this country. As for the history of much of the land that we call the USA, sure it's true it was stolen in war from the Mexicans. But the Indians lived here before the Mexicans or the Americans. If were talking about really doing justice, then they've got the only fair claim to this land.

[joeshields56]

I support what Lou Barletta, mayor of Hazleton, Pa is doing. He has no choice.

You know opening up all the borders and having free trade is fine if the door swings both ways. Right now it's only swinging in. Give some of the unemployed up here in the States the opportunity to go south of the border to spread a little Yankee ingenuity and maybe Mexico wouldn't be so bad that everybody wants to leave.

[cheyenne16-2009]

Several comments:
1. Thank you mayor Barletta, for doing a wonderful job. We applaude your words and your efforts wholeheartedly. I only wish every other mayor in this nation had your integrity, intelligence, and courage.
2. RE: RachFTG; The USA Dept of Homeland Security, Immigration Enforcement (INS) defines foreign nationals who enter the USA illegally or overstay a legal VISA as "illegal aliens", NOT "migrants"and NOT "undocumented". Call it what it is.
3. RE: godshorn; Apparently YOU need to learn about the history of America. The US southwest was the land of our US native American ancestors, NOT "mexicans", prior to the arrival of the hispanics from europe.
The US southwest under Spanish rule was NOT "mexico" it was Nueva Espania, and until the Spanish came here, there were no mexicans here, no meztiso, no aztec.
The Spanish invaded our tribal lands, bringing mexican indios in. Few mexicans ever lived in what is now TX, CA, NM, AZ or CO prior to statehood. At the time of the signing of the Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo there were fewer than 2000 mexicanos living in Texas.
There has never been any tribe living north of the Rio Grande and Colorado rivers called "mexican", or "aztec" or "mayan".
We US native American indians are offended and appalled by the overt acts of some subversive groups (like MEChA) attempting to erase the existance of our US tribal history and replace it with such nonsense as the "aztlan myth", which is being touted as fact, but in reality is fiction.

[borntwice-2009]

The gate that leads to eternal life (John 10: 7-9) is called narrow."This does not mean that it is difficult to become a Christian but that there is only one way to eternal life with God and that only a few decide to walk that road. Believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven, because he alone died for our sins and made us right before God. Living his way may not be popular, but it is true and right. Thank God there is one way.

Matthew 7: 13-14. "You can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and it's gate is wide for those who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few will find it."

[ricb6]

Mr.oaxaca5
This is in reply to your uninformed remarks about Hazleton. Are you dumb enough to tell the Federal government,"Hey! I just hired an illegal alien"? Since most illegals are hired "under the table" when sending tax money to the treasury what do you think you would be doing? Before you get writers cramp, I shop on Canal Street and know about New York bookeeping.

To address your slur about skin color, it is a flat out distortion. I know this for a fact! My family has lived in the area more than 100 years BEFORE Barletta's family left Italy. The American Indians let us farm their land and traded with us. While living there Ilived with and among most every ethnic group you can imagine with the exception of Blacks. None were in the Hazleton area.(My neighbor here in Florida is black.) My wife is Asian and had no problems with color, language or race while we lived there.

Now as to benefits and welfare try this. An illegal working on a farm gets hurt badly. Since he "aint" a resident he goes back to Mexico for treatment. Sure he does! Mexico is now called the Hazleton State General Hospital emergency room. Pulling out his roll of $100 bills he pays for treatment. YUP! And Tinker Bell takes you to Never-Nerver Land today. One point you did make - not all illegals are crimminal TYPES. The point you didn't make is they are ALL criminals- law breakers!
Ric B

[jdeltoro1]

RicB, I hope you never get to the point of desperation where you have to do whatever non-violent "illegal" action or the sake of your family. While many imigrants look for work in the US, it is not a simple decision easily made. Would you would voluntarily choose to separate yourself from friends and family and put your life at risk to provide for your family who live in a place where there is little hope in the future? After that discussion, we could go into another one over the products you use that are produced in other countries. (maybe blue jeans, coffee) We could discuss how the majority involve workers who receive far below what would be considered a "just" wage, a wage that is far below living standards. (And who actually benefits from their situation) And so coming to the US, they accept a job which is still way below US standards, yet way above the standards of their native countries. I pray you and the people you care about never find themseves in a situation like that. Fortunately, we have been blessed in being born in a country that allows for opportunity. For all the undocumented immigrants who come to this country looking to get out of a situation our country has helped create, I pray for them even more.

[godshorn]

RE: cheyenne 16

Why are your people still on the reservations? Where is your freedom? Spanish or Mexican. There were people who lived in North America whose lands were invaded an stolen. Getting back to Mayor Barletta's comment on violence, the United States (not America) has always been a violent country. You need to recheck your history. The true history of America.

[jamaggio1]

ILLEGAL ALIEN IS THE CORRECT TERM. BARLETTAS' FAMILY CAME THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND. THEY DIDN'T SNEAK ACROSS THE BORDER, WHICH IS JUST AN EASY WAY SINCE LAND MASSES ARE CONNECTED. THEY ALSO CAME FOR THE SAME REASONS OF OPPORTUNITY. THOSE PEOPLE MADE THIS COUNTRY WHAT IT IS TODAY, THROUGH THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, WW1, WW2, KOREA,. THEY ALSO SPARKED THIS NATIONS LABOR MOVEMENT, ie. UNIONS, WHICH IS ANOTHER MATTER COMPLETELY, THAT IRONICALLY, HAS ALSO BECOME "DISTORTED". (THE LATTIMER MASSACER, LOOK IT UP.) THEY FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY AND THIER RIGHTS. THIS IS MUCH THE SAME BUT FROM ANOTHER ANGLE. ILLEGAL INTRUSION INTO THE UNITED STATES WILL EVENTUALLY DESTROY THIS NATION AND TURN IT INTO THE COUNTRY FROM WHICH THE ILLEGALS CAME FROM.

USAF VETERAN FROM HAZLETON,PA OF ITALIAN, RUSSIAN, CZECK AND POLISH BLOOD

[jamaggio1]

ILLEGAL ALIEN IS THE CORRECT TERM. BARLETTAS' FAMILY CAME THROUGH ELLIS ISLAND. THEY DIDN'T SNEAK ACROSS THE BORDER, WHICH IS JUST AN EASY WAY SINCE LAND MASSES ARE CONNECTED. THEY ALSO CAME FOR THE SAME REASONS OF OPPORTUNITY. THOSE PEOPLE MADE THIS COUNTRY WHAT IT IS TODAY, THROUGH THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, WW1, WW2, KOREA,. THEY ALSO SPARKED THIS NATIONS LABOR MOVEMENT, ie. UNIONS, WHICH IS ANOTHER MATTER COMPLETELY, THAT IRONICALLY, HAS ALSO BECOME "DISTORTED". (THE LATTIMER MASSACER, LOOK IT UP.) THEY FOUGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY AND THIER RIGHTS. THIS IS MUCH THE SAME BUT FROM ANOTHER ANGLE. ILLEGAL INTRUSION INTO THE UNITED STATES WILL EVENTUALLY DESTROY THIS NATION AND TURN IT INTO THE COUNTRY FROM WHICH THE ILLEGALS CAME FROM.

USAF VETERAN FROM HAZLETON,PA OF ITALIAN, RUSSIAN, CZECK AND POLISH BLOOD

[cheyenne16-2009]

RE: godshorn,
Not all of us live on the rez.
Is that supposed to be some kind of racist insult to my people?

I know more about the history of our US tribes (NONE of which have EVER been "mexican") or "aztec"), than you ever will know.
I know more about the history of this land than you will ever know.
Your problem is, you believe some fairy-tale made up on a California college campus in 1969, called "aztlan".
Get an education, aztlan is an IMAGINARY place which never existed.

Our US native American indian ancestors lived in this land before any spanish-speaking hispanic ever set foot on this continent (YES, hispanics came from EUROPE too, and it was the hispanics who stole our land, and murdered our ancestors in TX, CA, NM, AZ and CO, the US southwest).
Our US native American indian ancestors lived in this land before any meztiso or mexican indios were brought here, as slaves, by the hispanic/europeans.
Try learning the TRUTH about the history of this land, the REAL TRUTH, and quit swallowing the lies and propaganda of MEChA.

Let's all live in the present, shall we?

Anyone born in any nation other than the USA, is NOT allowed to enter the USA to live and work without applying to do so LEGALLY.
No foreign national born south of the Rio Grande is "indigenous" to the USA. Get the picture?
If you are born in mexico, you do NOT have any "right" to enter the USA illegally, and this country does not "belong" to you or to your ancestors.

[vanwijck]

Problems with "free speech" being allowed access by politicians result in this sort of rethoric. On nearly every point the mayor makes he is wrong, yet will find reverberations with certain subgroups of voters in his community (will someone let us know if he is running for reelection presently please?). The jobs alien workers perform are not able to be filled by "legals". Yet, the dire shortness of 'alien worker visas' allows those jobs to be performed by "illegals", resulting in an economic boon for business owners, it lets them get away with severely underpaying them and not having to contribute to social welfare payments such as social security, unemployment benefits, healthcare and whatnot!
Mr. mayor, it's just a scam!
America has become great by the work performed by immigrants and the recent turn to exploit them this way is shameful, unproductive and will come back to hurt them in many ways yet unimagined.
And please, to be so xenphobic as to cite the crime thing, based on no statistical support anywhere available, simply reveals the mayor's agenda.
Thank you for letting me speak this way.
Bert van Wijck

[bellal-2009]

Amen, brother! At least SOMEONE is doing something. You are doing the right thing, without a doubt, absolutely.

[bellal-2009]

Next step, deportation. It's gotta be done.

[kailumego1]

Why doesn%u2019t all the "ILLEGAL-ALIENS", who illegally confiscated both North and South America, away from its autochthonous natives crawl their way back to Europe?
What hypocrites, it is mighty interesting the term %u201Cillegal%u201D only comes up when referencing non-Europeans, particularly, Hispanics and African/African descent..
Second, has it ever occurred to those who so vehemently vocalize their outrage over the so-called illegal aliens, and of course, they are referring to %u201CMexicans%u201D, they consume jobs that the average American wouldn%u2019t dare consider.
Thirdly, it is the %u201Cupper-middle class%u201D who exploit their labor for domestic services, likewise, U.S. corporations whom build plants in Mexico, for, guess-what, cheap labor.
Americans seem to have little or no problem with Europeans, Asians, etc, migrating to the U.S., but, Mexicans, %u201CNO%u201D, and people of African descent, such as, Haitians, %u201CH#$#$-NO%u201D.
If you are going to be against %u201Cimmigration%u201D, period, then don%u2019t indiscriminately pick people, who, according to your narrow perception, is undesirable.
These so-called %u201Cillegal-immigrants%u201D are no different than those Europeans who came to America, encroached on the Native population, in hopes of having a better life.

[kailumego1]

It is the racist ethnocentristic beliefs and ideology of some individuals who are either too drugged-out on their own narcissism to understand the history of this country. European settlers were "ILLEGAL-AlIENS", and I am sick of hearing the self-appointed nonsense by some individuals vocalizing their self-aggrandized ideology. This is our land, it belongs to the "white man", and "blacks can go back to Africa, Mexicans thrown in jail for crossing the border, and Arabs go back to the "dessert".
And rhetoric-spouting nay sayers, like, Mr.Barletta, crime has increased in our quaint little town because of "illegal-aliens". Where do you people get these concepts "aliens", I'm quite sure that's what Native Americans thought of European settlers.

[phenix9]

The mayor is right, and for all those who post comments about whether these people are illegal; they are exactly that. Whether you want to beleave it or not this is a country of Laws. I am sick of hearing people talk about these people are doing the jobs that Americans want do. That's BS. a nation without laws is no nation, and a nation that will not enforse it's laws will fall. We are being invaded by people caring a flag of another country, who will not assimilate, our schools are over crowded, hospital emergency rooms forced to close, illegal immigrants largely from Mexico have cripple our welfare system, our prisons are filling up with illegal immigrant, if this is a racist issue, Laraza, and mecha is making it so. I am an American Black who see this for what it is, this is anarchy... American citizens are being killed daily by illegal aliens, and in a lot of cases slips back across the border, and never face justice. No European, asain, african, or anyother race have literally crossed the US borders in an invasionary way, to make matters worst these illegal aliens are teaching their children that they owned the southwest United States, if anyone have a reason to complain; it should be the native american indians, these hipocrites tell whites to go back to europe, when the Spanish eupopeans colonized them, maybe Mexico should go to spain, then we would have peace in north america.

[pmatylonek]

The law should be followed; there is no doubt on this. But I see a real need for the services of those who cross our borders illegally, especially in the food service or agriculture industrie. "It's about the economy, stupid." Illegal aliens are a BIG part of our economy. In fact, since they are underpaid, they have no worker's rights, they have no health benefits, and they do low level jobs that no one really wants to do, they serve a niche in the economy that had been traditionally served by slavery. But Illegal aliens are NOT slaves. They are here on their on volition. We should change the laws on immigration and the path toward citizen, so that these human beings can achieve their human dreams.

[mom2mh]

Great story and i thank him for being the voice some of us thought we did not have but now i have asked my Mayor "are you a small town defender?" We will see what he has to say!

[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.

[kailumego1]

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

[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]

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..

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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.

[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!