July 26, 2007

Hazelton Struck Down

Under the glare of the national spotlight on Hazelton, Pennsylvania 's recent city ordinance that sought to punish landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, and employers who hire them, a federal judge struck down the city's ordinance ruling that immigration law is solely within the province of the federal government. The Hazleton ordinance had become a national testing ground for a growing number of state and local officials rushing to enact local laws to combat illegal immigration. . Supporters of this effort charged that both Congress and the Administration have failed to control or deal with the estimated 12-18 million illegal immigrants who live in the United States. In addressing the pivotal issue of preemption, U.S. District Judge James M. Munley found that "allowing states or local governments to legislate with regard to the employment of unauthorized aliens would interfere with congressional objectives" to control immigration policy . Judge Munley also ruled that the Hazelton ordinance was unconstitutional pursuant to many dictions. GT will continue to monitor other state and local laws which dictate immigration related actions.