Who is Lou Barletta?
Lou Barletta is the Republican mayor or Hazelton, PA. He is also currently running against Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D) for the 11th Congressional District seat in congress. Barletta has gained a national spotlight after unveiling some of the most unfair, anti-American, and, arguably, racist public policies in the country. When challenged in court, Barletta’s policies have been struck down. Despite these setbacks, however, Barletta continues to spew his anti-immigration rhetoric.
Before becoming mayor of Hazelton, Barletta was a wealthy businessman and owner of Interstate Road Marking Corp. (IRM). After being elected as mayor of Hazelton, Barletta sold the company to focus entirely on politics. Barletta’s anti-immigrant rhetoric has gained him national attention, something he is currently exploiting to help him further his political career. Although popular in Hazelton, Barletta remains a highly controversial political figure in both Pennsylvania and the United States.
Much of this controversy has to do with the “Illegal Immigration Relief Act” that Mr. Barletta championed through the Hazelton City Council. Under this law, anyone who hires an illegal immigrant or rents/sells them a home or apartment can loose their business license and be fined several thousand dollars. Additionally, the law required everyone who was renting a residence in Hazelton to go to City Hall with either a passport, a birth certificate, or immigration papers to prove citizenship.
