Ruling over Pa. town's immigration law vacated

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal appeals court has vacated its ruling that declared a northeastern Pennsylvania city's illegal immigration law to be unconstitutional, setting the stage for a new round of arguments.

The move by the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last Friday was expected after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered it to take another look at Hazleton's Illegal Immigration Relief Act.

The appeals court had blocked Hazleton from enforcing regulations that would deny permits to business that hire illegal immigrants and fine landlords who rent to them, saying they usurped the federal government's exclusive power to regulate immigration.

The Supreme Court threw out the appeals court ruling in June after the justices upheld a similar employer-sanctions law in Arizona...[Full Article]

ICE releases illegal alien suspects in Pennsylvania town…again (w/video)

Between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, police in Beaver Meadows, PA, picked up four illegal aliens on traffic violations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement refused to issue detainers on any of the suspects, so all were released.

While this story has made many Beaver Meadows residents angry, it is not the first time ICE has refused to hold illegal aliens arrested in this town.

On May 9, state and local officials in Pennsylvania held a press conference to announce their displeasure with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), after the agency failed to issue a detainer on an illegal alien arrested the previous week by Beaver Meadows Police Chief Mike Morresi...[Full Article]

Lakewood Man Gets 4 Years in Federal Prison for Harboring Undocumented Immigrants

PITTSBURGH — A 66-year-old Lakewood man has been sentenced to 4 years and 8 months in prison for conspiring to harbor undocumented immigrants for commercial gain and money laundering.

Roman Litt, of 11900 Edgewater Dr. — who also has a Staten Island, NY address — was handed down his sentence Tuesday at US District Court of Western Pennsylvania...[Full Article]

Pa. Legislators Propose Immigration Policy

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Several state lawmakers proposed the National Security Begins at Home illegal immigration bill Tuesday.

A press release from Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler County, announced the bill was aimed at “shutting off public benefits, employment access and all other economic incentives that continue to fuel Pennsylvania’s ever-increasing illegal alien invasion.”

“Just like any other national policy, America’s immigration laws must protect the lives, liberty and property of American citizens, rather than foreign invaders,” said Metcalfe. “Since the federal government remains AWOL in fulfilling its constitutional obligation to defend the states against foreign invasion, Pennsylvania state lawmakers have no choice but to stand together to advance the National Security Begins at Home package.”...[Full Article]

10 suspected illegal immigrants held after Turnpike stop

State police stopped a van around 9:30 this morning for having a broken windshield on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and have since turned over all of the 10 men inside to immigration authorities for not having documents proving they can legally work in the United States...

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Immigration cracks down on illegal cabbies

Weeks ago the Philadelphia Parking Authority mailed a letter to immigrant cabdrivers telling them that credit-card payments were owed to them and to come to the PPA to get paid, drivers said.

When 26 drivers showed up at the PPA garage and impoundment offices in South Philadelphia Wednesday, 23 wound up handcuffed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who determined the cabbies were in the United States illegally, according to ICE spokesman Mark Medvesky.

All but four were released but their names were placed on a deportation list. Medvesky didn't detail why the four others were held...

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