Hazleton Housecleaning

Just down the road in Hazleton, PA, Mayor Lou Barletta has submitted legislation (that is tonight being voted on by city council) that is making the national spotlight. The proposed ordinance is an attempt to crack down on illegal immigrants living and working within the city limits. The new law would focus on shutting down businesses that hire illegal immigrants, impose $1,000 fines on landlords who rent to them, and make English the city's official language. Some residents, particularly the Latino communities, are very upset about the pending ordinance citing that it is nothing more than discrimination, and have been holding demonstrations outside city hall for the last few days. What every needs to keep in mind is that the key word here is "illegal immigrants", not Hispanic, not Latino, not Chinese, and not Russian. The Mayor's plan is not to single out on any particular group, he's just trying to rid the city of illegal residents ... you know ... illegal, as in not legally here ... as in entering this country against the laws in which we are all bound. Good for you Mayor Lou Barletta, it's great to finally see someone in politics who has a spine and is not afraid to use it.