Ban on enforcement of small Pa. city's immigration laws upheld by US appeals court

July 26, 2013 at 9:47PM

HAZLETON, Pa. — The mayor of a small northeastern Pennsylvania city that wants to crack down on immigrants in the country illegally says a new federal appeals court ruling won't stop his town from trying to implement the proposed regulations.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia on Friday reaffirmed its earlier decision that Hazleton's ordinances are pre-empted by federal immigrant law.

The never-enforced ordinances would deny permits to businesses that hire people in the country illegally and fine landlords who rent to them.

Mayor Joseph Yannuzzi (YAH'-nah-zee) says he supports the ordinances and that the city will continue to solicit private donations to finance the court fight.

The U.S. Supreme Court considered the Hazleton case and sent it back to the lower court for reconsideration in 2012.

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