Decision in Hazleton Case Does Not Affect City's Official English Law

Yesterday's decision by Federal District Court Judge James M. Munley to strike down the City of Hazleton's law on illegal immigrants has no affect on the city's official English law passed at the same time. On September 21, 2006, the city enacted two ordinances — Ordinance 2006-18, the "Illegal Immigration Relief Act Ordinance" and Ordinance 2006-19, the "Official English Ordinance."

The lawsuit against the City of Hazleton challenged the legality of Ordinance 2006-18 along with a previously passed measure, Ordinance 2006-13, the "Tenant Registration Ordinance." It did not challenge the enactment of Ordinance 2006-19, the "Official English Ordinance." As such, Hazleton's passage of legislation making English the official language of the city was not affected by yesterday's ruling. English remains the official language of Hazleton.

In the past numerous court decisions have upheld the legality of official English legislation at the government level. It bears noting that in the three states that recently made English their official language — Arizona (Nov. 2006), Idaho (March 2007) and Kansas (May 2007) — there have been no attempts to overturn the enacted measures in court.