The cities that provide safe harbor to illegal aliens are applauded and termed "progressive" for being open and welcoming, their flagrant flaunting of America's immigration laws seemingly excused.

But cities that take steps to curb the drain of illegal immigration - cities such as Hazleton, Riverside, N.J., and Farmers Branch, Texas - are vilified as racist, backward and mean-spirited.


We are taking the steps we need to - steps we are empowered to take under federal and state law - and we will further enhance our Illegal Immigration Relief Act to make it tougher and more defensible.


Hazleton's ordinance would work in conjunction with established local law. It would require all city residents who rent property to obtain an occupancy permit from the city. Landlords would need to see only an official occupancy permit before renting to tenants.

The City Council passed an ordinance that says landlords who rent to illegals can be fined $1,000 a day, and that employers who hire them can lose their city business licenses for five years. Hazleton's ordinance was modeled on one passed in San Bernardino, Calif., and Barletta says at least 30 other cities have inquired about it. Advocates for the immigrants are suing, and Barletta says the ordinance will be refined before it goes into effect.


On one hand, it's hard to argue with Barletta's attempt to, in effect, enforce immigration law, since the federal government refuses to do so. Border enforcement is ineffective, and immigrants who enter legally routinely overstay visas with little concern about being caught. Congress knew all of that when it passed the last immigration "reform" in 1996.



City employees - not ordinary citizens - would use resources available through the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to verify the legal status of those seeking permits.


Businesses would be required to conduct similar checks. This is not a burdensome requirement - several local companies already use an ICE program to verify the immigration status of their employees.


Four months ago, fear gripped Hazleton. Residents - those who grew up here and those who arrived in recent weeks - were afraid to walk down certain streets and patronize local businesses. Illegal aliens who committed murder, fired a gun into a playground and dealt drugs were responsible for many of those fears.


As mayor, I have a duty to protect all legal citizens of my city.


That is exactly what I am doing.


Lou Barletta is the mayor of Hazleton, Pa.