There is an interesting AP Wire article concerning Hazelton, PA and the city mayor’s efforts to limit the crime and gangs that he and others in the town attribute to illegal immigrants.
With tensions rising and its police department and municipal budget stretched thin, this small northeastern Pennsylvania city is about to begin what the mayor calls one of the toughest crackdowns on illegal immigrants anywhere in the United States.
“Illegal immigrants are destroying the city,” said Mayor Lou Barletta, a Republican. “I don’t want them here, period.”
Last week Barletta introduced, and the City Council tentatively approved, a measure that would revoke the business licenses of companies that employ illegal immigrants; impose $1,000 fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants; and make English the official language of the city.
The article goes on to describe other local efforts throughout the country coping with illegals and associated problems. One local resident, objecting to the efforts to discourage illegals in town is quoted:
“It’s going to scare a lot of people,” said Christian Lechuga, 23, who emigrated from Mexico eight years ago.
His father came to the United States illegally in 1982, received amnesty in 1986 and now operates a grocery store and restaurant in Hazleton. Jose Lechuga, 42, said Barletta is “abusing his authority and abusing human rights.”
“He’s confusing illegal people with criminals,” Jose Lechuga said.[emphasis mine]
Are not those who break our immigration laws criminals? I think this comment gives insight into the mind of those who support illegals in the US.
