Pa. town passes illegal immigration act

HAZLETON, Pa., July 14 (UPI)

The city council of Hazleton, Pa., has adopted a resolution imposing heavy fines on people who rent property to or hire illegal immigrants.

The council approved the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, proposed by Mayor Louis Barletta, by a 4-1 vote Thursday, the Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Times Leader reported Friday.

The act, which would also set English as the official language of the city, has sparked controversy in the area.

Members of the Hazleton Area Latino Taskforce, formed to combat the act, called the law "discriminatory, bigoted and racist," the newspaper said

Beaver Meadows, Pa., Mayor Bill Hines has given his support to the ordinance and has said he hopes state and national legislators notice that "Hazleton is stepping up to the plate."

Councilman Robert Nilles, who voted against the act, told the Times Leader he has heard legal opinions "that say we're on dangerous ground."

He said the part of the act that fines landlords for renting to illegal immigrants is in violation of federal programs that mandate housing for mixed families, regardless of legal status.

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