The Nation Waits for the Verdict


Hazleton, a distraught town in Pennsylvania, is in the midst of a legal and constitutional controversy.  The verdict in a Hazleton case will likely decide the fate of Pennsylvania’s 11 million illegal immigrants.

The case revolves around the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, an ordinance enacted by Hazleton’s mayor and city council members in July 2006.  The Act prevents businesses from hiring illegal immigrants and property owners from renting to them.  The objective of the ordinance is to drive “illegal aliens” out of the state. 

A number of Hispanic residents reacted by filing suit against the Illegal Immigration Relief Act.  The challengers have urged Judge James M. Munley to reject the ordinance because it conflicts with federal immigration policy and violates the Constitution’s equal protection rights.

Additionally, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and other concerned groups filed suit on behalf of Hazleton residents.  Omar Jadwat of the national ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project said, “We expect the government to make laws that will prevent discrimination, not require it.”

Other critics of the Act asserted that the Hazleton’s recent economic resurgence directly results from the arrival of new immigrants.  

Supporters of the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, however, argued that there are legitimate reasons for implementing stringent immigration policies.  Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta said that the dramatic rise in crime and violence over the past 10 years is linked to the increasing illegal immigrant population. 

It should be noted, though, that police records do not endorse Barletta’s charge.  Police have only proven the immigrants’ involvement in 20 crimes out of the city’s 8,500 total registered crimes.  Nevertheless, Barletta maintains that the Act can stop immigrants from damaging Hazleton’s quality of life.

The Act has witnessed wide attention from all quarters.  While supporters see Illegal Immigration Relief Act as a city’s frantic attempt to create order in the absence of a clear federal immigration policy, antagonists criticize it as divisive, illegal, and unconstitutional.

The predominant question in the case is, “Who has the exclusive right to regulate immigration--municipal lawmakers or the federal government?”  More than 80 cities and towns facing the same immigration crisis are waiting for the verdict, which should be decided by May or June. 

"I realize we're not fighting for Hazleton anymore.  We're fighting for the whole country," said Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta.

Whatever may be the outcome, it will surely test the nation’s character and shape our future policies.  In today’s shared world, it is in everyone’s interest--policymakers and conscientious citizens--to work towards implementing an effective, clear, and fair immigration policy.