PA City Backs Away From New Illegal Immigration Law

The city of Hazleton, PA, which passed one of the most restrictive anti-illegal immigration laws in the country, is backing down in the face of an ACLU challenge:

The city of Hazleton agreed Friday to delay enforcing one of the toughest crackdowns of illegal immigrants by a U.S. city.

The law fines landlords $1,000 for renting to illegal immigrants, denies business permits to companies that give them jobs, and makes English the city's official language. Enforcement was to begin Sept. 11.

The delay came after the city reached an agreement with plaintiffs in a lawsuit _ Hispanic groups and the American Civil Liberties Union, who wanted the law declared unconstitutional.

Under the agreement, Hazleton must give the plaintiffs at least 20 days' notice before it begins enforcing either the ordinance passed in July or its replacement _ enough time for the ACLU to return to court to try to stop it.

Mayor Lou Barletta said the city agreed to the delay only because it is working on a replacement ordinance that he says will better stand up in court.

"We're not enforcing it because we are in the midst of amending it," said Barletta, who has championed the law. "The amended ordinance will be even stronger and more defensible."

I applauded the city's efforts when they passed the original ordinance, and if there's a better law on the way, I hope they can get it in place soon. I hate to see the anti-American ACLU win anything.