Federal judge strikes down ordinance
U.S. District Judge James Munley has ruled that an anti-immigration law in the northeastern Pennsylvania community of Hazleton is “unconstitutional.”
Munley’s decision, running 200 pages, held that “Federal law prohibits Hazleton from enforcing any of the provisions of its ordinances.”
The Hazleton law, passed in 2006, was held back by an injunction from pro-immigration extremist groups, and the new decision may impact the efforts of over 90 municipalities across America who have used the Hazleton law to fashion their own measures.
The Hazleton law, championed by Mayor Lou Barletta, was called the Illegal Immigration Relief Act and would have penalized businesses and landlords who dealt with illegal aliens. The effort made Barletta a national media star.
An appeal is expected.