"Even if federal law did not conflict with Hazleton's measures, the city could not enact an ordinance that violates rights the Constitution guarantees to every person in the United States, whether legal resident or not," he added.
Hazleton's act was copied by dozens of municipalities around the nation that believe the federal government hasn't done enough to stop illegal immigration. Munley's ruling does not affect those measures.
The city's lawyer, Kris Kobach, said there were "very serious errors" in the decision and predicted it would be overturned on appeal.
Hispanic immigrants began settling in large numbers in Hazleton several years ago, lured from New York, Philadelphia and other cities by cheap housing, low crime and the availability of work in nearby factories and farms. The city, situated 80 miles northwest of Philadelphia, estimates its population increased by more than 10,000 between 2000 and 2006.
Testimony during the trial pegged the city's illegal immigrant population at between 1,500 and 3,400.
On the Net:
ACLU of Pennsylvania: http://www.aclupa.org/
Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund: http://www.prldef.org
City of Hazleton: http://www.hazletoncity.org/
Hazleton's legal defense site: http://www.smalltowndefenders.com
- Associated Press
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