To date, over 100 similar laws have been passed. Like the Scranton legislation, most will be repealed by federal judges. Despite claims to the contrary by those who propose these laws, all this kind of legislation accomplishes is to unearth the vein of bigotry that lies beneath the surface in many communities. The people behind these laws heap a myriad of accusations against the immigrants in their communities. In almost every case, these broad indictments are not supported by any evidence. Constitutionally-sound local laws are on the books against all the alleged crimes of illegal immigrants. Why not simply enforce those laws?
In a strongly worded opinion handed down at the U.S. District Court in Scranton, Pa., Judge James M. Munley ruled that federal law "prohibits Hazleton from enforcing any of the provisions of its ordinances," which impose a $1,000-per-day fine on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, revoke the business license of any employer who hires them, declare English as the official language and bar city employees from translating documents to another language without approval.
It's hard not to see these laws for what they really are: an attempt to institutionalize bigotry.
Raul Ramos y Sanchez
