last month, the mayor and the city Council passed the illegal immigration relief act which imposes $1000 per day fine on any landlord who rents to an illegal immigrant, and it revokes for five years of business licenses of any employer who hires them.
Barletta wants to make Hazelton "the toughest place on the illegal immigrants in America.
" What I'm doing here is protecting the legal taxpayer of any race," said the dapper 50-year-old mayor, sweeping his hands toward the working-class city outside. "And I will get rid of the illegal people. It's this simple: They must leave." "
Although the law does not take effect for another month, the mayor already sees the progress. "I see illegal immigrants picking up and leaving -- some Mexican restaurants say business is off 75%."
An isolated case?
Four neighboring principalities in Riverside and New Jersey have already passed identical ordinances. Seven more cities are debating on similar legislation.
Barletta has received 9000 favorable e-mails and has raised thousands of dollars for the city's legal defense.
"Barletta insists there's no whiff of racial antagonism. "This isn't racial, because 'illegal' and 'legal' don't have a race," he says. "
Hat tip to Laura for this article
10 comments:
And people thought Dave Ralston's comments were harsh.
That'd never fly here in the USCO (United Socialist Counties of Oregon).
Unfortunately.
Thanks for killing our dream Max!
Couldn't you have just enjoyed the thought for a little while before shooting it down?
The rest of the country could pass the same laws and Portland would keep Oregon from following.
Mayor Sid told us that there is nothing in the law that he as mayor could do in regards to the illegal immigration.... so I am puzzled how this mayor and city Council are able to pass such a law.
Robin
Because Oregon has a state law that prohibits cities from enforcing immigration policy, ORS 181.850. This is where you need to change to allow cities to do so.
Sid
Please remember, Hazelton is a community about the size of Florence or Sutherlin. Small town and a bit easier to enforce. Springfield is nearly 60,000 and until the jail is built and funded it won't matter anyway.
Oregon law says you cannot enforce immigration laws. This is not an attempt to do that, this is a law to protect the citizens of the town. And it doesn't fine the illegals, it fines the legals who assist them. Big difference, probably in the wording.
Max and Laura: You are right. It will never be allowed in Oregon as long as Teddy the Napper, Peter Courtney, Kate Brown, and Teddy's Loyal Right Hand, Billy Bradbury are hanging around under foot.
Laura
I don't disagree with you at all. Believe me I have met with our attorney's and our chief and literally our hands are tied in Oregon. I am not into passing feel good resolutions that become a wasted piece of paper, so therefore, until I hear differently from legal council I don't see the need to have our council weigh in on this. State law needs to be changed. I wish folks were this passionate with our state legislator's as they are with volunteer city council's. It is probably because we respond back to you whether it is good news or bad news.
Sid
Sid
I am glad to hear that you aren't into wasting money. Hopefully one of us will come up with a solution that IS legal because we are so passionate about the issue. Funny, isn't it that volunteers get more done than paid workers, no matter what the job?!
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