Immigration-Activist judge

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Any thoughts on this--

A federal judge on Thursday struck down the city of Hazleton?s tough anti-immigration law, ruling unconstitutional a measure that has been copied around the country.

The city?s Illegal Immigration Relief Act sought to impose fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and deny business permits to companies that give them jobs. Another measure would have required tenants to register with City Hall and pay for a rental permit.

U.S. District Judge James Munley voided the law Thursday based on testimony from a nine-day trial held in March.

The city will almost certainly appeal.

Hazleton?s Republican mayor pushed for the strict laws last summer after two illegal immigrants were charged in a fatal shooting. Mayor Lou Barletta argued that illegal immigrants brought drugs, crime and gangs to the city of more than 30,000, overwhelming police and schools.

Immigrant groups sued, saying the laws usurp the federal government?s exclusive power to regulate immigration, deprive residents of their constitutional rights to equal protection, and violate state and federal housing law.

In a 206-page opinion, Munley said the act was pre-empted by federal law and would violate due process rights.

?Whatever frustrations ? the city of Hazleton may feel about the current state of federal immigration enforcement, the nature of the political system in the United States prohibits the city from enacting ordinances that disrupt a carefully drawn federal statutory scheme,? Munley wrote.

?Even if federal law did not conflict with Hazleton?s measures, the city could not enact an ordinance that violates rights the Constitution guarantees to every person in the United States, whether legal resident or not,? he added.

 

[Spytheweb]

What does it mean to be an American?

What does it mean to be an American?

Nothing! When anyone can walk across the border and have more rights than you do.

 

[just cover]

First of all before I say anything my wife is half Mexican...These people are coming here to make themselves better but ARE breaking the law.

Any business or landlord should have to do background checks and verify if they are here legally. IF the business or landlords repeatedly violate this fine and I mean a fine of $1 million. That would scare me shitless with that big a fine. I hate to say it but it is going to take another major catastrophe for our BIG USELESS government to get this illegal immigration under control. I mean a Middle East shitbag can flow right in with all the illegal immigrants that are coming here.

One last thing alot of these immigrants are hard working people just trying to get ahead to make it better for their families. However I would have a few rules for ANYONE who isn't a citizen.

1. Stop this crap if you are born here you are an automatic citizen. I say at least one parent must be a legal citizen.

2. If you are applying and aren't a legal citizen and commit a felony of any kind- you are deported immediately and banned from being a citizen for life. One strike and you are out.

3. Anyone caught here who is illegal and not EVEN TRYING to apply for citizenship deport immediately. Second time caught banned for life.

4. ONE family per house or apartment.LOL just kidding I say that stuff my father in law all the time golfing right before he tees off.

WE have to stop the flow and secure the borders before we do anything with the people who are already here. I hardly ever wrote to my congressmen, but have twice this year already. Once for that bullshit Internet gambling ban and now for this. I here people bitch at work but don't do anything except complain. Get off your ass and at least call and voice your opinions. Don't sit there and drag your feet like our government.

just cover

 

[IntenseOperator]

1st off

(not to sound silly)

Let me say my girlfriend of way too long (just shy of 4 yrs) is Puerto Rican and Mexican (born in the latter). Her Mexican mother became a citizen a number of years ago. My best friend of 20 years is Mexican born here, and his wife is PR born here. I don't know my friends mothers status. My brother's mother in law is from Argentina and her husband was from Italy (mom is still fine looking close to 60 yrs old). I grew up and live in a very strong Irish/German now turning Polish area of Chicago. I work in a business sector were most of the employed are of foreign decent or 1st gen. I'm sure every immigrant that comes here is the second coming of Christ and wants to find the cure for cancer. I don't think that has anything to do with anything.

One thing never brought up here is how a GREAT DEAL of 1st generation folks or foreign born (now) Americans are sick of these freeloaders coming in now. I'm not just referring to Spanish, but the Polish have been rolling into Chicago like they knew George Washington personally.

 

[Chadman]

I would have to know a lot more about what the judge is talking about, but at face value I'd have to say I disagree with the judge. There may be, in fact, federal issues that do hold precedence here, and I really don't know about requiring rentors to register with City Hall and pay a rental permit. I partially understand the logic, I just have never heard of rental registration and paying a rental permit. Is that prevalent in other areas?

Bottom line, I think ILLEGAL immigrants really don't hold much legal clout, and shouldn't. Not sure what the judge is referring to - rights for illegals in this country. What are the Constitutional rights that are being violated in this case?

 

[JCDunkDogs]

There may be, in fact, federal issues that do hold precedence here,...What are the Constitutional rights that are being violated in this case?

Yes, well put, Chad. Federal issues are involved, and they do "hold precedence" as you stated. Not to sound like a civics teacher here, but the Constitution gives folks a right to due process, even illegal aliens.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident..." and all that stuff. Illegals with claims to stay are entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard before we deprive them of their liberty, etc.

So, state measures which are so broadly worded as to cut huge groups of folks off (even those with claims) from due process are going to be found unconstitutional every time. I'm not saying that illegals shouldn't be sent home; they just get to tell their story to a judge first, then he or she can decide whether the claimant can be put out of the country by the scruf of the neck.