Towns track immigration law appeal

The Pennsylvania city of Hazleton last week appealed a district judge's ruling that its Illegal Immigration Relief Act is unconstitutional.

The city filed a two-page, notice of appeal document in federal court on Thursday. It could take up to six months before the appeal is heard by a three-judge panel at the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Judge James Munley struck down Hazleton's tough anti-illegal immigration law last month, saying states and municipalities have no business trying to stem illegal immigration, a federal issue.

The city's Illegal Immigration Relief Act sought to impose fines on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants and deny business permits to companies that give them jobs. Another measure would have required tenants to register with City Hall and pay for a rental permit.

More than four dozen communities across the nation have introduced similar ordinances and about 22 have put proposals on hold until the Hazleton case is resolved, including Carpentersville.

In October, trustees Paul Humpfer and Judy Sigwalt introduced the Illegal Alien Immigration Relief Act, which would make it unlawful to rent to or hire illegal immigrants.

The item drew thousands to village hall in protest, forcing the village board to postpone addressing the proposal.

Trustees later that month voted 4-3 to delay discussing their own version of the crackdown laws until the Hazleton ordinance weaves its way through the appeals process.

"They say patience is a virtue," Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta said last week. "Certainly it will mean something in this case."

In addition to appealing Munley's decision, the city is also appealing some of his pre-trial rulings.