Ernesto, dculkin--Pennsylvania today.....

[John Doe]

What is going to happen to this anti-illegal ordinance case in Hazelton? I haven't kept up and have only listened to a couple of ACLU type friends of mine who say it will be an easy win for the plaintiff's because the ordinance is federally pre-empted. What do you guys think? I may read another article and have an opinion later in the day.

[Honus]

What I don't know about preemption by federal immigration laws would fill volumes. My guess is that the City Council overreached in some fashion and that the judge will find some narrow issue on which to overturn the ordinance. I base this guess on nothing other than my sense that local government types rarely get this sort of thing right on the first try.

I was sorry to hear about the strife in Hazleton. My folks are from Scranton, so I have driven through Hazleton about 3 million times. I have always loved that area. I spent a little bit of time in the area west of Hazleton, going toward State College. Some of the prettiest farm country you will ever see.

[BENZ-LGB]

WOW, for once dc and I are on the same boat.

You could write volumes about what I don't know re immigration law.

Most of my knowledge of immigration law comes from defendants who try to set aside their previously entered guilty plea on the grounds that they were not properly advised of the immigration consequences of a guilty plea.

I also know that if Cuban refugees get just one toe on the sand, they are in...if they are intercepted while still floating on the water they get shipped back.

[John Doe]

I am just curious because I was at a Mayor's conference a few weeks ago, and there are hundreds of towns all over the country that will immediately enact a similar ordinance if the Hazleton one is affirmed.

Personally I'd bet 3:1 that the ordinance will be nullified.

[catmandoo62]

the cubans are political refugee's,just like the laotions years ago.also i believe the sudanese are PR's,whereas the hispanic's are illegals.