Congressional hopeful Barletta says illegals are behind many problems in U.S. Pennsylvania Republican congressional hopeful Lou Barletta says illegal immigrants have depressed wages earned by Americans, while boosting costs for everything from public education to health care. 'It affects many issues,'said the mayor of Hazleton, who garnered national headlines for his anti-illegal immigrant stand. Barletta is running this fall against 11th District incumbent Democrat Paul Kanjorski. He led the charge for enactment of a Hazleton city ordinance requiring landlords to verify that anyone they rent to is in the U.S. legally. Barletta said he acted after it became apparent that a large percentage of the city's violent crimes, including murders, were committed by undocumented foreigners. 'I saw many gangs moving into Hazleton,' he said. 'It started with graffiti.' He said Hazleton authorities confirmed that 48 people in the community belonged to six gangs with ties to New York. 'It's something we have to be aware of and it all ties in with our fight against illegal immigrants,' Barletta said during the local GOP dinner at the Olde Saylors Inne. Barletta, 52, said American workers are forced to compete for jobs against illegal immigrants who are willing to work for substandard wages. He said cracking down on employers is the most effective way to curtail the flow of illegals. 'That is the magnet that is drawing illegal aliens to our country, and it's depressing wages,' Barletta said. He said undocumented residents are treated for free in hospital emergency rooms, boosting health costs for others, and require schools to spend additional money on expensive 'English as a second language' curricula. Barletta said he stood up for Hazleton against the burdens of illegal immigration, despite costly legal challenges to its law and negative national press coverage. 'I have the courage of my convictions,' Barletta said. He said Kanjorski, whom Barletta is challenging for Congress for the second time, doesn't have deep convictions. |
Last updated March 27, 2008