Riverside Twp. repeals illegal-immigrant law

Riverside Twp. repeals illegal-immigrant law

The Riverside Township Committee tonight voted to repeal a controversial two-year-old law that would have fined businesses that hired illegal immigrants. The 3-1 vote, with one committee member absent, came after an hour-long special meeting held at Riverside Elementary School.

Although the law was never enforced, it was blamed for the exodus of thousands of Brazilian immigrants who had settled in the township, as well as some businesses that catered to their needs.

One reason the law was never enforced was that Riverside became mired in federal and state legal challenges of the statute.

The repeal came a month after a federal judge in Pennsylvania struck down a similar but harsher law enacted by Hazleton, Pa., a coal-mining community near the Poconos. Riverside passed its law 12 days after Hazleton's made national headlines.

The motivation behind Riverside's about-face last night was unclear. The members of the Township Committee, including Mayor George Conard, deferred comment to Township Solicitor George Saponaro, who was unavailable tonight.

Tonight's initial approval to repeal will be followed by a second vote to confirm the action.    - Dwight Ott and Sam Wood