Welcome To Hazleton

One Mayor's Controversial Plan To Deal With Illegal Immigration

(CBS) 
Among them is one woman who 60 Minutes will call "Alicia." She came to Hazleton from Mexico a dozen years ago with her daughter to serve the town’s need for cheap labor. She worked in small factories for $6 to $8 an hour, which with overtime allowed her to live right on the poverty line, until she packed up in September and moved to another town.

"I came to work. I don't do nothing to somebody else. I'm not criminal. I am not – not going to welfare for – how you say stamp?" Alicia tells Kroft.

"Food stamp," Kroft says.

"Food stamps," she replies.

Alicia went on to tell that she worked 10 to 12 hours a day, six days a week. She also said that most people in the plant where she worked were illegal immigrants.

She says it was a good job, "much better" than in Mexico. Asked why she moved, Alicia tells Kroft, "Why? Well, because I don't feel safe. I feel now different. I feel like a people know I'm illegal."

"Do you think the ordinance changed the way people looked at you?" Kroft asks.

"Yeah," she replies.

The larger employers in Hazleton say their labor force has not been affected. But there is a reported shortage of construction workers, landscapers and agricultural workers.
Also leaving town are the Hispanic restaurants, bodegas and shops that catered to Hazleton’s Hispanic community and helped revitalize the city’s downtown area, drawing praise from Mayor Baretta. With their customers gone, many of them are closing their doors.

Isabel Rubio, who is now a U.S. citizen, and runs a gift shop in downtown says her business is off more than 50 percent. But worse than that, she believes the ordinance has changed the town, stirring up ethnic tensions, and making illegal immigrants and the entire Hispanic community scapegoats for all of Hazleton’s problems.

"You notice people treating you different or reacting differently to you?" Kroft asks Rubio.

"Oh, yeah we feel," she replies. "My customers they complain. They say they say to people what you’re waiting for when you’re gonna leave town, soon? Like they want the people to leave town."

Rubio vows to stay put and is not leaving town. "This is my home. We are here 24 years. Half of my life," she says.

"There are some people in town that think that this has much less to do with illegal immigrants than it does with the Hispanic community in general," Kroft tells Barletta.

"Well I disagree with that. I have said over and over again, legal immigrants are welcome in Hazleton. Illegal aliens are not. I'm very clear about that. I've been very supportive of the Hispanic community in the seven years that I've been the mayor here," the mayor says.

"You’ve been called a bigot. You’ve been called a political opportunist," Kroft remarks.

"I’ve been called the grand wizard of the KKK," Barletta replies. "I took an oath of office to protect and defend the people of my community. And they can call me all the names they want. But this is worth fighting for."

[bren4824]

I found this post from a Florida citizen, who said that this is definitely a method that can be used against the illegals and the employers.

"We have been hitting them were they hurt in florida. If they don't have jobs they move on. If you see or know were an illegal works do the following: We are now also clueing in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to all suspected illegals that work, plus their employers if we know of them. The IRS takes very unkindly to the employers especially that seek to evade taxes by paying cash for daywork type labor, which is common at construction sites, lawn services and some factories.

Their fraud/criminal investigations number is 1-800-829-0433 nationwide. USE IT. They can be more effective than the INS in many cases and will do the investigative work, then if they uncover illegals will contact the INS who will come in at the end, make the arrests and take the credit.

The employers however usually can't run and they take the big hit, in the wallet..."

http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/11/11/news/111206bzillegalscourt.txt

www.americanpatrol.com

[bren4824]

The issue is ILLEGAL Aliens not legal immigrants. Legal immigrants are in the same position as every other legal US citizen. If our government and US citizens were not spending money to provide services to ILLEGAL invaders--who are Mexican citizens and the financial and moral responsibility of Mexico--this money could be spent to help and provide services to financially struggling LEGAL US citizens.

Also, Mexico is not a poor country--they have oil, natural gas, silver, and miles and miles of coastal property. The problem with Mexico is the lawlessness and corruption. These people need to go back to their own country and fight for rights/benefits. The US and US citizens do not owe them anything. Their only rights are to be treated fairly and humanely until they are deported back to their own countries.

[djlambert1]

Most of Halzeton's new jobs pay poverty-level wages. Most of the people taking these jobs are poor immigrant Hispanics, whose children often need bilingual education. If you bring in lots of poor people, the crime rate increases, since poverty causes crime. And these poverty-level jobs don't provide health insurance, so these new workers go to Emergency rooms for their basic health care.

The real issue is poverty-level wages, our troubled health care system, and poverty in Mexico. It just happens that today the poorest are immigrant Hispanics. A century ago, the issues were similar, but instead of Hispanics, it was Italians, Irish, Jews, Poles, etc.

A decade ago, Hazleton and Pennsylvania chose to bring in all these poverty-level jobs, but they're unwilling to accept the consequences of that decision. It's a shame that Steve Kroft did not point out any of this.

David Lambert
San Jose, California

[bren4824]

The next presidential election is still far away--but not really!!! Tom Tancredo will be the person to solve the immigration problems. As you can see by this article, do not vote for McCain or Guiliani--they both support Bush's plan for amnesty/guest worker program and open borders!!!

Tancredo: McCain, Giuliani would be disastrous for GOP

'I will do everything I can to make sure those 2 names are not the only options'

PALM BEACH, Fla. %u2013 With political junkies looking ahead to the 2008 presidential race, two of the names often mentioned as leading contenders for the GOP nomination %u2013 John McCain and Rudy Giuliani %u2013 are being called "disastrous" for the Republican Party by Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo.

"Both of those individuals, of course, would be disastrous for us for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is their position on immigration, which is to open the border," Tancredo told WND in an exclusive interview. "I will do everything I can %u2013 whether I'm a candidate for president or just as a member of Congress %u2013 I will do everything I can to make sure those two names are not the only options that people have."

Tancredo, the author of "In Mortal Danger" championing the need to secure America's borders and enforce immigration laws, says he is getting closer to his own run for the presidency, calling it a "distinct possibility."

http://www.saveourstate.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=19389

[legalatina]

Don't let the euphemisms fool you.... "comprehensive immigration reform" "path to citizenship" "guestworker programs" "earned legalization" etc. all = AMNESTY for illegal aliens. Don't buy into that trap.

SECURE THE BORDERS. BUILD THE WALL NOW! ENFORCE THE LAWS ON THE BOOKS. CUT OFF ALL PUBLIC BENEFITS/SERVICES, AND SENDTHEM PACKING!

[nadeau4201]

jtkir.......I totally agree with you. In my state they substituted the word Christmas for holiday. We are now going to light the town square Holiday Tree. And it is all for one ethnic group. We do not ask for them to stop celebrating their tradional holiday custom. We've never asked anyone as far as I know to change their customs and now we are being asked to change ours in our own country. It's *** and it is getting way out of hand. Sometimes I wonder what country I am in.

[jtkir]

If your Illegal your illegal
Basically people who don't want to be Americans, and who don't want to
live by American values and understand them, well then, they can basically clear out "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am
tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual
or their culture.."
"This idea of American being a multicultural community has served only
to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans we
have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials
and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"
"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, become legal Americans , learn the language and work hard for freedom
Hopefully American citizens will find
the backbone to start speaking and voting the same truths!!

[ddis2]

I salute Mayor Barletta from Hazleton, Pa. Illegal Immigration is a major problem in California. Unfortunately the Good mayor was on your left wing program along with your buddies from the A.C.L.U.

[bren4824]

Lunachick:

Here is a great link to read numerous articles/stories about Bush's hardworking illegal invaders and their "family values" that don't stop at the Rio Grande.

http://www.americanpatrol.com/REFERENCE/FamilyValuesLink.html

[bren4824]

"It is about time that a politian stood up for Americans and sent the illegals packing."

The politician who has and is doing this is Tom Tancredo, of Colorado. He helped to expose Bush's plan of the North American Union. Even though he is Republican, he is hated by Bush, Rove, and all others who support Bush and his agenda.

Are hopes for 2008 would be Tancredo and either of the following: Jeff Sessions, Sensenbrenner, Barletta, or Jim Gilchrist.

Tancredo had said that he would run if it still appeared that our government was letting this invasion and takeover occur. Let's hope that we hear about his political run real soon.

In the meantime, here are two really good books:

In Mortal Danger by Tom Tancredo

The Minutemen by Jim Gilchrist and Jerome Corsi

Also, stay on top of all issues/articles regarding the illegals by going through this site:

www.americanpatrol.com

[beckwilber]

When this program aired, I turned to my husband and said, "I would vote for him if he ran for President". It is about time that a politian stood up for Americans and sent the illegals packing. If every city in every state did what Mayor Barletta is doing, maybe then we could start to take back our country.

[nadeau4201]

Right on bren4824!!!!!!!!

[bren4824]

Gretchen:

Who cares what they think/feel once belonged to them, we will fight to the end their attempt at this invasion. Legal US citizens are not going to sit back silently and let this invasion and takeover occur. This is our country--which belongs to legal US citizens--illegal invaders have no rights in our country. They are citizens of Mexico, therefore, Mexico owes them rights and benefits not us.

Why don't you go to Mexico to live, as being a citizen of the US does not seem to mean anything to you.

[nadeau4201]

Kellyjane......one more thing eradicate is spelled with one r not 2.

[nadeau4201]

Joe_schmoe.... being proud of my heritage seem to be a threat to you and I am sorry you feel that way. I am an American born citizen who happens to like where their family came from. (legally)
And as far as "GO BACK TO ITALY" it just shows your ignorance. Not once have I said that to anyone because I know we were all immigrants at one point in time. And what is happening now isn't what happened 60 or 70 years ago regarding this issue. I do not care what nationality people are just come here legally is that so hard to understand?

[nadeau4201]

Kellyjane... what are you talking about? Educate myself on the cost that citizens pay for illegals I never said anything about cost anywhere in my comment nor did I say anything that would warrent your rude comment.

[kelleyjane]

Dear nadeau4201,

What planet do you live on? Please educate yourself regarding the cost to citizens of this country who are supporting the ilegals. And please learn to spell.

[psotds]

Gretchen1234 you are absolutely amazing.

Just a couple of points for you...you want them called "undocumented" instead of "illegal"? How about we call them "Trespassers" instead? The definition of trespass is "a wrongful entry upon the lands of another". And I for one can not think of a better explanation of what is happening. And just for the record, trespassing has both civil and CRIMINAL laws, so they are criminals.

The second point is about Sgt. David Jimenez Almazan. Using him as an example does nothing to support your points. For instance, he was a legal permanent resident which means he was not an 'undocumented' immigrant as you like to call them. This country knew who he was, where he came from and his intentions. The other big thing you should have taken from his story is that he LOVED America. So much so that he willingly fought and ultimately died for it. He came to this country and embraced us as his own nation. I don't think that most of the people that have commented here have ANYTHING against Mexicans like Mr. Almazan. In fact, I'm sure most of us would love to have more people like him around.

So many people have turned this into a race issue, but the last time I checked, a person's legal status does not put them in any specific race. This is an issue about right and wrong. It is right to follow the laws of the country and it is wrong to knowingly break them.

[m_kotyk]

This issue at hand is that there are people who fear that legal Hispanic immigrants may end up being deported. I have nothing wrong with illegals being sent home. There are laws in this country and they must be followed. Businesses love illegal immigrants because labor laws do not protect them. They can be paid almost anything and worked an incredibly long number of hours without any union protection. If an immigrant complains %u2026 it%u2019s out the door they go with no loss to the business owner. Perhaps not only do immigration laws need to be fixed but illegal business practices as well.It is very easy nowadays to get oneself trapped in stereotypes. We need to avoid them whenever possible and not come to a conclusion that every time we see a Hispanic, they must be illegal or even if we see a Muslim that they are not all terrorists. There is an growing dislike towards immigrants (particularly non-white immigrants) please remember that at one time the Irish, the Italians and the Germans were looked upon the exact same way that Hispanics are looked upon today. History always repeats itself.

[dawn53-2009]

I hate when people (and now municipalities) take the easy road to express fear by picking on individuals rather than addressing the TRUE root of their frustration:
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT who have given us nothing but blown smoke over the issue of protecting our borders!

What is it going to take before the government understands how serious the general public is in the desire to stop the flow of illegal crossings?