Wednesday, August 15, 2012

A federal appeals judge is asking how far a city can go to force out illegal immigrants, in a six-year legal battle in Pennsylvania.

The small city of Hazleton wants to make it illegal for landlords to rent to illegal aliens or businesses to employ them.

In oral arguments Wednesday, Chief 3rd U.S. Circuit Judge Theodore McKee asked rhetorically if Hazleton would next make it illegal for restaurants to feed them.

Lawyer Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state, argued for the city. Kobach says federal law requires people to encourage illegal aliens to leave.

The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging the city ordinances. They haven't been enforced during years of appeals.