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Trial opens on law aimed at illegal immigrants
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 13, 2007
SCRANTON, Pa. - Leaders of a Pennsylvania town that cracked down on illegal immigrants went to court Monday to defend their practices at the start of a trial to explore whether local governments may act on their own to curb illegal immigration. Officials in Hazleton, south of Scranton, passed the city's Illegal Immigration Relief Act last summer, imposing fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and denying business permits to companies that employ them. Another measure requires tenants to register with City Hall. Hispanic groups and the American Civil Liberties Union sued, contending the measures are unconstitutional. In opening statements, ACLU attorney Witold "Vic" Walczak told a judge Monday that there is no evidence to back up the claim by Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta that illegal immigrants are destroying the quality of life in his city. Kris Kobach, a law professor representing Hazleton in the case, said the town acted after an increase in crime. The judge barred enforcement of the law pending the outcome of the nonjury trial, which is expected to last two weeks.
[Last modified March 13, 2007, 02:26:36]
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