Federal trial to test legality of local anti-immigrant measures

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HAZLETON, Pa. (AP) -- Jose and Rosa Lechuga operated a successful grocery store for a decade in this northeastern Pennsylvania city, but they say a local crackdown on illegal immigrants killed their business. The Mexican-American couple, in this country legally, closed their store and moved to Arkansas. But they are returning as plaintiffs in a federal court trial opening Monday that has thrust the former coal town into the middle of the national debate over illegal immigrants.

As Congress considers changes to immigration policy, the trial will determine whether Hazleton has the right to make life difficult for illegal immigrants by penalizing landlords who rent to them and businesses that give them jobs. A companion measure requires tenants to register with City Hall. The case, to be heard north of here in the city of Scranton, is the first to explore whether local governments may act on their own to curb illegal immigration. There are an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States.

Because dozens of towns and cities around the nation have followed Hazleton's lead, the showdown will be closely watched. This week Fort Collins, Colo., narrowly rejected a measure that would have punished contractors or subcontractors working on city projects who knowingly hired illegal immigrants.

"We're not only fighting for Hazleton, we're fighting for cities all across America," said Republican Mayor Lou Barletta. He championed the laws, saying illegal immigrants were joining gangs, dealing drugs, committing violent crimes and destroying the quality of life in this city of 31,000.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Hispanic groups filed suit, calling the city's action divisive and racist and saying it tramples on the federal government's exclusive power to regulate immigration.



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