Immigration Showdown In Hazleton

Pennsylvania City's Anti-Immigration Ordinance Before A Federal Judge

(CBS)  Small-town, blue-collar Hazleton, Pa., is deep in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Today, it's at the very center of America's debate over illegal immigration, CBS News national correspondent Byron Pitts reports.

"Illegal immigration is draining our city's budget, and therefore, as a mayor, I took an oath of office to protect and defend our citizens — and that's what we're going to do," says Hazleton Mayor Louis Barletta.

Barletta is defending the "Illegal Immigration Relief Act," passed by the City Council last summer in response to a sharp spike in crime attributed mostly to illegal immigrants. The city ordinance would fine landlords who rent to "illegals" or employers who hire them.

Demonstrators have decried the measure as both illegal and racist. Longtime residents say it has created tension in town. Some Latino families have moved out.

The matter is now before a federal judge in Scranton. The ACLU claims only the federal government can enact immigration law, while the city is arguing it has legal jurisdiction.

Whichever side wins, cities and towns across the country are watching. At least 30 municipalities have already passed a similar ordinance, and 70 more are considering one.

For now, all sides in Hazleton agree on one thing: When it comes to illegal immigration, one resident notes, "The truth of the matter is for years and years we have a system that is broke and it has to be fixed."

The trial could take two weeks.

[calgeo123]

I live in sonoma county. and work in marin county as a landscape gardener and I have been doing this for 20 years. it is hard to make a living because there are so many illegels working between 10 and 15 dollars an hour. I'm a legal american. born and raised in the united states of america. and have a right to not have illegal immagrants taking my work. san rafael is full of illegals please do a report on this. there should be fines against people who hire illegals. middle class americans are sufferring because of the illegal workers

[bellal-2009]

I don't understand what legal citizens are supposed to do when witnessing illegal acts. There are illegal immigrants applying for housing using obvious falsified documents, filing falsified tax returns, working. Are we supposed to report it, ignore it, condone it. Why hasn't the govt. addressed this? Why hasn't Congress addressed this? What are we supposed to do. How about all the gang taggers who are vandalizing property all over theplace. Are the cops supposed to deport them? Arrest them for graphiti or for being here illegally. Will SOMEBODY in leadership please tell us what's going on.

[bellal-2009]

The future of America...

My friend bought a cute little house in a small town. The illegals moved in because of low prices. The partying and fiestas on the weekends became unbearable. One of the parties included a lot of motorcycle riding and one rode up the sidewalk over lawns and rammed into their front window causing a lot of damage. When the Mexican cops (yes, Spanish speaking required) came they didn't even issue a citation. Not even a ticket for riding a motorcycle into someones front room through the window.

[mpetrilak]

Which part of the word "illegal" do people not understand?? There is a simple solution...become "legal".
When did it become legal to be illegal? That's either an oxymoron or a double negative. It's against the law to be illegal. Where's the question?????

[mpetrilak]

By the way...this coal cracking area wher I live (near Hazleton) has just given this area something to be proud of. An insightful mayor who works in the best interest of his hard working citizens. Any of you who think generations of working in coal mines is a walk in the park, perhaps you ought to propose it as a career opportunity to illegals who want to earn a life within our community. The miners who toiled for generations in the coal mines paid taxes out of the pittance thay earned.And most of them didn't get nearly the benefits that non-citizen workers are here to reap without paying their dues.

[hsmagst]

Unfortunately, the American mentality is to pay as little as possible for goods and services. Most people just go for the lowest price. Americans have become oblivious to the problems that mentality has caused. Most electronic devices are not manufactured here anymore and while Foreign car manufactures have plants here, lots of the parts are manufactured overseas. America will soon become a service industry country with lower wages being the result. How does a business compete with 15 illegals living in a 2 bedroom house and eating beans and rice while driving a car without insurance or a legal drivers license.

[tulcak]

Hey, here is an idea. Why don't we enforce the immigration laws that are already in place. You know, the ones that fine businesses for hiring undocumented workers? That way, you don't need to fine landlords for renting to undocumented workers. Its simple. Undocumented workers who look for work (this is what brought them here in the first place) are turned down by businesses who are afraid of the immigration laws being enforced and being fined. The undocumented workers go back home because there is no work here and they spread the word back home - don't go, there is no work.

There are many in America who don't want to fine the businesses and enforce are immigration laws. They'd rather make everyone else a law enforcement officer by default. Plus, they like the fact that there is slave labor to be had very cheap.

[peaceforusa]

mpetrilak

I agree with you. I am born and raised around that area and am really proud of Hazleton for taking a stand. I hope and pray that Hazleton wins this battle against the ACLU and others.
We have immigration laws in this country that need to be followed and all these illegal aliens thumb their noses at those laws and then they come into our cities and towns and use up resources we don't have and then thumb their noses at the laws our states, cities and towns have in effect.
They need to go and anyone who sides with illegal aliens needs to go live with them in Mexico or whatever country they come from and let the USA be the USA, because anyone who sides with them cannot surely love their country enough to protect it from ruin. Our country has been driven down to the dregs of immoral and unethical behavior because of all these illegal aliens coming in to our cities and towns. Once people realize this then we will be able to clean up America, and America will once again be the best country in the world.

[gunnerv1]

So far it's running 7 to Zip against the Illegals, gee, I wonder why that is. Go back to you own country and take your children with you!

[grizz1195200]

need to do that in rogers ar.

[theusa1st]

It looks like all agree...fine the businesses that hire illegals (large fines), fine the landlords or have the cities take over the properties as they do in other towns for drug dealing, put fully armed military personnel on the border...no body gets through except at the border crossings. Any illegals that are caught get shipped home...period.

[cathaleen]

What part of the word "illegal" is not understood across the country. If you are in this country illegaly - you should be deported. There shouldn't be any debate about this or should a town or city have to pass it's own law. This should be a no-brainer. Obviously alot of people are making mucho bucks off these illegals.

[olebd]

We need a guy like this as our Commander in Chief!!

[shay5434]

First of all every business hiring employees is supposed to be doing an I-9 Check which means potential employees showing ID's and employers making copies and keeping the copies in case they do get questioned.

Second of all, I have a feeling there would not be near as much of a backlash against the illegal immigrants if they would do two things. NOT expect American Citizens to learn their language! Learn English or go home. And NOT expect American Citizens to adopt their social routines. You came here, attempt to fit in! We don't need to listen to your ear blasting music or pay for your trips to the emergency room or for our schools to have to employ multilingual teachers to teach your children. When most of ancestors came here either from Italy or Poland or anywhere else, the children were immersed in regular classes and learned English and taught their parents English. Many immigrant families wouldn't allow any language other than english to be spoken in their households to encourage the children to assimilate into the culture. It worked then and should work now. I don't see any reason why I should have to go back to school to learn Spanish to be able to obtain a job. And that is fast becoming the norm. This country needs to name English as the official language!

[noaanhc]

They need to build a huge wall along the border between the United States and Mexico.Have the military guard that border with orders to shoot to kill any illegal who enters our country,
then after their dead,throw their worthless body back into Mexico as a warning to others there that this will be your fate if you dare enter our country in this way.We need to play hardball with these people once and for all & show them that we mean business.

[lieber1881]

I have relatives in Hazleton who run a business, and they have seen a quaint little community go rapidly downhill as the result of ILLEGALS - the downtown is a mess, though thanks to Mayor Barletta and this measure, it is getting cleaned up.

Remember, the final straw was when two of this non-English speaking thugs shot down two kids. The G&y ridden - and run ACLU, I just wonder if they'd tolerate any of this folks in their tony condos and homes?

Furthermore, to echo the previous poster. What part of the words ILLEGAL ALIEN do you not understand? This country was built on Immigrants - IMMIGRANTS who applied to be American citizens, who learned English or stayed at home while other family members did, who don't fly the flags of a rotten, corrupt, country while so called American Congressmen of their own background applaud and demand rights for them. These people are only interested in the Dinero - they could care less about the History and Traditions of the United States of America. Don't believe me - then ask some of their kids who barely speak Inglis - they'll tell you!

Apply to become a citizen, learn English, and obey the laws - or get out. No IFS, BUTS, OR ANDS. And as for Pelosi, Reid, Kennedy, and the Latino Mechaista Dems in California and Arizona -shut up and act like Americans because honestly we don't need you too.

[groovetta1]

GREAT IDEA! I hope that the city of Tulsa, OK does the same. Sign up or GET OUT! *** MOOCHERS!

[rray52]

Local governments are stepping up because the fed%u2019s can%u2019t get their act together.
ICE raids a manufacturing plant in Mass. and arrests the owners and detains the illegal immigrants. Congress%u2019s reaction is to call for a investigation of ICE for holding the raid.
Illegal immigrants are depressing wages for legal immigrants and citizens. There are not jobs that we won%u2019t do, only jobs that we want a fair wage to do, and not to be under cut by illegal labor.

[forthepeaple]

AT LEASE SOMEONE HAS SOME NUTS TO TAKE ON WHAT MATTERS AND DO HIS OR HER JOB TO PROTECT THERE AMERICANS...AND IF I WAS THE MAYOR I WOULD PUT A BIG FENCE AROUD YOUR WHOLE TOWN AND TELL OUR GOVERNMENT TO STAY OUT. WE WILL TAKE CARS OF OUR OWN,SENCE YOU WONT...

[pghlady3]

the word is: Illegal immigration, Illegal= breaking the law. If you are and illegal immigrant, you SHOULD be deported, you are breaking the law.
FYI: In Mexico, if you are NOT a citizen you are NOT allowed to get medical care, you are NOT allowed food stamps or support of ANY kind, if your child does not speak spanish, they are NOT allowed in school. Does anyone else see the double standard??????

[mudrose-2009]

This is a perfect example of the failure of Congress to enact legislation to control illegal immigration. With this 110th Congress in Democratic hands, they will do nothing to defend our borders. Hence, States are taking on the responsibility to defend their own perimeters and enacting legislation to defend their towns against illegal immigration. And if anyone supports the perception that illegal immigration has to be dealt with, I would suggest they call their Senators and ask them to pass S. 415 which is a bill designed to defund the ACLU. This group of communist sponsored attorneys will do anything in its power to destroy the backbone of America. Now they are going after this Mayor in defense of illegal immigrants. How pathetic is that?

[rray52]

Politics makes for strange bedfellows.

Republicans, Democrats, big business, and big labor are all in bed together on this folks.
All for different reasons, but all turning a blind eye to illegal immigration.

[jn122736]

Illegal immigration has been going on for decades. Employers benefiting from slave level wages propagate it and are supported by their bought and paid for government, party notwithstanding.

The amount of money required to compete for any government office, not just the presidency, is so great that the average, honest, person cannot afford to campaign.

Only the ultra rich, top tier, of Americans and the mega corporations can afford to support/buy candidates for government offices.

The number of illegal immigrants has multiplied in recent years but is not likely to improve until the legal citizens of this country demand it, in a loud and collective voice.

I agree with another poster here that the oft-used defense for allowing illegal immigrants %u201Cthey only take jobs Americans don%u2019t want%u201D is an outright lie. The truth is they take jobs Americans simply ask a decent wage to perform.

[imay07]

Ok before we rush to judgment we need to educate ourselves on the current immigration laws. People say %u201CApply to become a citizen, learn English, obey the laws%u201D and %u201Cyou are an illegal%u2026, you SHOULD be deported%u201D. The truth is the way the immigration system is set right now, it%u2019s impossible. First for those who say %u201Capply for citizenship%u201D could you also suggest what path to use? Use what immigration form for example? The truth is even if these immigrants wanted to apply for citizenship, learn English e.t.c. there is no path available for them. Some say %u201Cour ancestors waited in line%u201D True. But how do you wait in line if there is no line for you? Today, only rich people can get into the US legally. Yes. even as a visitor, student e.t.c. you have to prove you have money to get a Visa. And you know what, for those that come in legally and obey the laws; there is still no way to apply to legally stay unless they marry a US citizen for example. This encourages people to sneak in and forge documents.

[imay07]

Over 12 million people be deported? you have no clue what the cost of deportation is to taxpayers! Yes the government has to buy a ticket and get an escort for the deportee to ensure the person gets wherever they are going. Deporting over 12 million people is not possible. I agree all who break the law should be punished but how do you punish someone when there is no legal way of doing it. If the government created a legal path then there would be no excuse for illegal entry.

[mudrose-2009]

Ima97 that is no excuse for crossing our borders illegally. When people do that they violate the sovereignty of our nation. When that happens then we are no longer defined as a nation. This is not acceptable. Simply because one cannot get in here does not give anyone the right to cross our borders illegally. That why there are immigration laws and immigration status such as green cards. Your argument is compassionate, but not in keeping with policy. We simply cannot afford to have people violate our borders and damage our health by bringing disease, taxing our healthcare systems to the breaking point, stealing identities, and taking jobs from Americans.

[jn122736]

Imay07,
I see that as a defeatist attitude, if there is no legal way for them to come here they should not come period until and unless there is.

Not to deport illegal immigrants because of expense is a nonstarter because it costs a lot more to support them here.

[mudrose-2009]

Look, my grandparents came through Ellis Island. Defeatist my a___. People who come here illegally have no right to be here. Check out Mexico. They have very rigid immigration laws for people who come into their country illegally and while we are at it, why doesn't the Mexican government do something to keep it's people there. Why don't they create jobs and opportunities. I don't buy your nonsensical logic. All countries have immigration laws. So get real and illegal immigrants have no right to tell any country how to run its immigration system or to defy it.

[hhusted]

Illegal immigrants should go back where they came from. Who wants those filthy, good-for-nonthing low lifes here anyway. This is a country built on English speaking people. Not Spanish or German, or any other language. I say let the country revolt against them and kick them the &^^% out of here. Thiscountry will be better off without them.

[hhusted]

IMay07,

It does not cost Americans that much money to deport illegal immigrants. I do not know where you got your stats from but you are dead wrong. All the Government has to do is have a special visa set up to let them get on a boat. Theboat sends them back to their country. What is do hard about that.

So far, 72% of Mexicans are being stopped at the border now. This is encouraging. But it shouldn't stop there. For this country should stop Asians, Indians, Arbians, Africans, and everybody else who crosses the border illegally.

If they want to come here, they need to learn to read, write, and speak English first. Then pay their way to get here. If they don't do this, don't attempt it. America is no stomping ground for every riff-raff that wants to come here. It disgusts me everytime I walk down the street and I try to talk to one of these illegals and they can't even speak English. This is a downright shame. We have given this country away and we need to get it back.

[imay07]

None has the right to cross the borders illegally but they do. No matter how much you argue, the reality is that laws have to be practical and enforceable. Otherwise creating them is a waste of time. The system has to be fixed to enforce the law as well as create a proper and legal way of immigrating. If there was %u201CEllis Island%u201D I%u2019m sure many people will be willing to go and line up. And there is a misconception that anyone can go to the immigration department and apply for a green card. That%u2019s not true that%u2019s why I say people need to educate themselves on how the system works before suggesting solutions that are non existent. And by the way, some of those who have jobs actually pay social security taxes that they will never collect. Do you know that the IRS issues tax ID%u2019s to illegal immigrants so that they can pay taxes? The government is sending mixed messages. %u201CWe don%u2019t want you here but while you are here, use this number to pay taxes%u201D! This issue will never be resolved unless a comprehensive solution is created

[random_radar]

If the American Indians (aka indigenous americans) had stopped the European settlers in the 1600's, they would have been better off. But they failed, and millions of europeans came flooding across the border and took their lands.

Now the descendants of those Europeans are self-righteously pretending to be the rightful heirs of the land and trying to stop the next wave of immigrants. Perhaps they are smarter than the American Indians who were slaughtered and displaced before them. One thing is certain--they are pathetic hypocrites.

Every nation in the world is possessed by whoever is strong enough to maintain control. Every civilization has fallen when they were overrun by a more motivated group. I predict that America is in the process of changing ownership.

[american_gal]

Hazeltown is a small, old Coal mining town. Places like that are going to feel the heavy impact of freeloading, non-taxpaying immigrants sooner than larger cities. Ultimately, the larger cities take the hit too; but, it's often so subtle, they attribute it to other things.

The question is, "where do we draw the line?" Our children are being dumbed down, in part, because of the uneducated, hispanic children entering. Our economic is being drained in a detrimental way. They're not paying taxes. In other words, they're taking, but giving little back in return, and think it's their right, not a privilege, to do so.

When my antecedants came to this country, they did so legally. My mother could speak 5 languages when she started school, but not one of them was English. She refused to teach us anything but English so we wouldn't have the problems she did in school. To immigrants back then, they WANTED to be AMERICAN, unlike many hispanics today.

Perhaps we should deport the illegals, close the borders, strenghten our own economy, then begift Mexico with money to help build its infrastructure and take care of their own.

[imay07]

Except for Native Americans, everyone in this country is an immigrant. The only difference is whether you are 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation e.tc. America was made successful because of immigrants and will continue to succeed because of immigrants. What needs to be changed is the process of controlling immigration and assimilating new immigrants into the society.

[mudrose-2009]

And the solution is to close the borders; send them back to their nation of origin and end this ridiculous plight of the America people. The American people are on board for just this. But your left wing Congress doesn't want that. So unless you put the screws to Congress to legislate immigration reform, we will have this endless battle of the illegal alien. Civics 101 - petition Congress -- send them each a brick. Want to see practical - there it is.

[edbriody]

Do any Americans have rights
that the AClU will not twist out of effect?

[bellal-2009]

We absolutely must start deporting illegal immigrants. It will send a clear message that we are not going to take this anymore. We want our laws back, we want our schools back, we want our emergency rooms back, we want gridlock out of our criminal justice system and we want clarity and definition from our govt.

[bellal-2009]

Patriot75, I've never heard Canadians or Latin Americans refer to themselves as "Americans", ever. Is that straight?

[olebd]

Wonder why the anchor kids refuse to rise for the AMERICAN anthem or pledge allegience to the AMERICAN flag? They don't consider themselves AMERICANS! This happened to my wife in the classroom and again, these 14-15 year olds were born in AMERICA but their parents were from El Salvador and Guatamala (which they don't call central or south America.)so through their parents heritage, they didn't want to affiliate themselves with AMERICA. These kids claimed more allegience to the imfamous MS-13 gang than anything.

Very different from our ancestors who came through Ellis island, don't you think?

[frankinaz]

Its about time a town and its people took a stand and is finally trying to end illegal immigration and its drain on the taxpayers. I'm tired of seeing these people break laws to enter and live here. If legal U. S. Citizens lied on W-9 and Social Security forms, then forged more paperwork to obtain driver's licenses and other services, they would more than likely be prosecuted. But not an illegal immigrant. Zero tolerance for illegals: It should be felony to enter this country illegally, and no more amnesty, citizenship, or "Anchor Babies" allowed.
Deportation for any crime an illegal immigrant commits. If the jobs, housing, driver's licenses, and other services are completely cut-off from these people, this drain on the legal taxpayer will end. These people are overunning the country, especially in the border states with Mexico.

[klingon69]

Better be careful...in 20+years, the illegals will be demanding reparations.

[klingon69]

Georege2221;
We are not talking about LEGAL immigrants, only those who sneak in through Mexico, Florida, East& West Coasts, Canada...etc.
Legal immigrants are not the problem.

[figuy30]

the city of hazleton, pa. is correct. crack down on the thieves who call themselves employers, and landlords and make a real good example of them. it's about time somebody did something. up until now all we've been getting is all talk and no action. the brainless aclu should be shown the door and reminded which country this is and who the legal taxpaying citizens are. we might need to remind our elected representatives who the legal taxpaying citizens are as well.

[rmonroe401]

I am embarrassed to say my family is originally from Hazleton. Bunch of backward rednecks hicks. Its disgusting. Kind of people who would kick a homeless person for being in their way on the sidewalk. I hang my head in shame.

[rollingtats]

First to all the people who say that this crackdown is racist, your wrong. Period. It is not against legal immigrants, its against the illegal people who we end up paying for out of our pockets, when we could be providing for our families. You want to call us redneck hicks, well its hard when your a blue collar worker and every penny you earn is precious. You must not worry about that much when you make 250,000 a year!!! Also for those who call us names,we send as warm welcome to visit us in the south, we would love for you to come down and call us rednecks down here....oh I forgot....250,000 a year salary...different strokes different folks!!!

[rollingtats]

First to all the people who say that this crackdown is racist, your wrong. Period. It is not against legal immigrants, its against the illegal people who we end up paying for out of our pockets, when we could be providing for our families. You want to call us redneck hicks, well its hard when your a blue collar worker and every penny you earn is precious. You must not worry about that much when you make 250,000 a year!!! Also for those who call us names,we send as warm welcome to visit us in the south, we would love for you to come down and call us rednecks down here....oh I forgot....250,000 a year salary...different strokes different folks!!!

[rollingtats]

rmonroe401, the reason this country is like it is,is because of people like you. You are a complete moron. Good. now i feel much better.

[mcjohn2]

Glad to see someone finally has the gonads to start squelching these leeches on the taxpayers.
High fives to Hazelton. We almost had the same type of ordinance here in central Folrida, but a couple "minority" city council members voted against it. I wonder why. For the life of me, I cannot understand why these bleeding heart dumbs**** types allow and encouage this crapola. I think everyone who supports having them in the U.S. should be required to take a family of illegals home with them. Let them live in your house, you feed them. Let them steal your jewelry, TV and money. Also they can *** in your front yard when the bathroom is occupied.
What part of ILLEGAL don't you understand ???

[frankbowers]

I am hard lpressed as to why any person in their sane mind would protest to the city of Hazeltown. The illegals have no rights and should not have the ACLU protecting them and ACLU then writting off the expense for their taxes. Next if they wish they can take care of the bast**ds & not make me.The illegal not the legal are draining our country just like a knife to the throat drains the life out of a living animal.They need to be shot when caught the second time in our country,no, if ands and buts.Jail is to good for them as that cost me even more.I am a christian I think but even a christian has to have some defense against any illegal thing or person.The best of good byes from Austin, TX and Frank Bowers

[olebd]

The ACLU should be fined for aiding and abeting criminals.