Barletta: Feds need better immigration enforcement...

Barletta: Feds need better immigration enforcement


The Citizens Voice (Wilkes-Barre, PA), April 4, 2008



Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, whose city has been a focal point in the national debate on illegal immigration, said he agrees with the major presidential candidates that immigration must only be regulated by the federal government, but with better enforcement.

The Democratic candidates, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., have proposed plans that would fine employers who hire illegal immigrants while letting otherwise law-abiding aliens to pay a fine, learn English and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the presumptive Republican nominee, sponsored the failed Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, which included funding for a 700-mile fence at the Mexico-United States border and similar measures as the Democrats’ proposals.

In 2006, Barletta and Hazleton City Council passed ordinances designed to curb the influx of illegal immigration in the city by fining employers who hired illegals and making English the city’s official language. Last year a federal judge ruled the ordinances unconstitutional.

“If the federal government enforced the federal laws, there might not be a need for local laws such as ours,” said Barletta, who is running against incumbent U.S. Rep Paul Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, for the 11th Congressional District seat. “The local authorities, the local and state police, should work hand in hand with federal authorities to enforce federal laws.”

Gov. Ed Rendell, Clinton’s chief supporter and surrogate in the state, acted as the former first lady’s spokesman on immigration during an interview with The Citizens’ Voice after her appearance at King’s College on Tuesday.

“It has to be a federal law that is fair and balanced,” Rendell said.

“(Clinton) is very adamant about punishing employers who knowingly employ aliens — non-legals. She’s very strong on that. At the same time, she believes there has to be a path to citizenship for people who have been in this country, abided by our laws and respected our values.”



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19453391&BRD=2259&PAG=461&dept_id=571464&rfi=6