Candidates invited to talk immigration: Hazleton Mayor Barletta asks Obama,Clinton, McCain to discuss illegal immigration...

Candidates invited to talk immigration: Hazleton Mayor Barletta asks Obama, Clinton, McCain to discuss illegal immigration.


By Bill O'Boyle
The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA), March 15, 2008

Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta wants the three presidential candidates to come to Hazleton to discuss illegal immigration.

On Friday, Barletta sent a letter to senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain inviting them to Hazleton to talk about the issue that put the city in the national spotlight.

'Hazleton would provide the perfect forum for the candidates to talk about this issue,' Barletta said. 'None of them have addressed the issue in a manner I feel that is clear to the American people.'

Barletta said the three candidates will be traveling throughout Pennsylvania over the next several weeks as the state primary approaches.

'I believe it would be fitting for the candidates to come to Hazleton, the city that started much of the national debate, and tell the people how they would deal with the problem of illegal immigration,' Barletta said. 'They can see firsthand how it has affected this city.'

Two of the candidates -- Clinton and Obama -- will be in Scranton over the next two days. Clinton is participating in Saturday's St. Patrick's Day Parade and Obama will speak to a group on Monday night.

'I think they can find the time to come here to talk about this important issue,' Barletta said.

Barletta is seeking the Republican nomination in the 11th Congressional District. He is trying to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke.

In the letter, Barletta tells the candidates Hazleton has passed some of the toughest illegal immigration laws in the country.

'We want you to come to Hazleton to meet with our citizens and talk with our first responders, law enforcement, medical professionals and elected officials,' the letter states. 'The issue of illegal immigration touches almost every aspect of our lives: local and national security, the cost of health care, diminishing wages for our workers, added strain on our educational systems and our overall quality of life.'

Barletta said he was open to a candidates' debate, a town meeting, a walking tour of the city or another format.


http://www.timesleader.com/news/20080315_15-BARLET
TA_ART.html