Pennsylvania city leads the pack in cracking down on illegals

June 21, 2006

Hazelton, PA, a city of 30,000, is taking matters into its own hands when it comes to illegal immigrants.

Mayor Lou Barletta says illegal immigrants are 'destroying' his city. They don't belong here. They're not legal citizens. And I don't want them here,' Barletta said.

Since he took office six years ago Hazleton has seen an influx of Hispanics. In recent weeks some Hispanic immigrants have been arrested for crimes including murder, a federal drug bust and a shooting in a crowded park.

'We're using legal, hard-working taxpayers' dollars to fight crimes of individuals who do not belong here, who are not paying their taxes, using up the resources that are for the legal people living here,' Barletta said.

'Illegal doesn't have a race. Illegal is illegal,' he said.

Earlier this week the city council gave preliminary approval to Barletta’s proposal to not fine, but shut down businesses that employ illegal immigrants, impose $1,000 fines on landlords who rent to them and make English the city's official language.

Other cities around the nation, including San Bernadino, Calif.; Canyon County, Idaho; Cobb County, Ga.; and Milford, Mass., are also cracking down on those who employ or house illegal immigrants.

In Hazleton, the mayor's get-tough proposal is likely to get final approval soon, which has many of the city's roughly 10,000 Hispanics upset.

'They are afraid, they say this is racist. They are against Hispanic people,' said Amilcar Arroya.

Barletta says such accusations of racism are 'ridiculous.'

'Illegal doesn't have a race. Illegal is illegal,' he said.