I know that Allentown isn't a Sanctuary City, but rather A Welcoming City. While the distinction isn't lost on me, apparently it is lost on the Feds and ICE, they're camping at 5th & Hamilton.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk is upset that ICE is operating in the Lehigh County Courthouse, and has asked a local judge to intervene against the Federal government's right to do so. Although the county courthouse is located in Allentown, the request is clearly politically based, and outside of the mayor's purview. Likewise, County Commissioner Jon Irons is involved with a volunteer group, Lehigh Valley Emergency Response Network, actively intervening on behalf of the immigrants detained.
Allentown City Council Vice President Cynthia Mota has a business to assist immigrants. Ce-Ce and company (Natalie) are also on board with the mission. Although I lean to the right, even I have issues with our detention centers in El Salvador and the Everglades.
I was so happy to hear that there were protesters against ICE at the Lehigh County Commissioners meeting last week, and that Mayor Tuerk was trying to grandstand on the issue as well.
ReplyDeleteWhy?
I know that ICE is targeting areas that aren’t cooperating with the federal government, and the actions last week will only draw more ICE scrutiny and action.
There are plenty of illegals in Allentown, and I can’t wait for the federal government to remove the criminal illegals in the city.
It won’t solve all of the city’s problems, but it will help with a lot of them.
I think a priority for ICE, would be to deport all those illegal residents incarcerated in county, state and federal jails. This would provide a relief to the cost of these jurisdictions and to the taxpayers.
ReplyDeleteI really do believe ICE is concentrating its efforts only on those illegals residing here who have already been adjudicated as criminals for behaviors well beyond simply entering our borders without following proper procedures. Such “line jumpers” are unwanted and are placing themself and their family members in jeopardy of having their daily lives disrupted.
ReplyDeleteTo all those described above, I say “too bad.” Yes, it’s inconvenient for you and yours, but get out now and return again the right way. Until then, best to take your family with you.
In my opinion all illegal immigrants must be deported, the democrat elected officials who opened our boarders must never again be allowed to damage our Country and the current elected officials who impede ICE law enforcement are violating their oaths of office to uphold the laws of our Country and therefore should be impeached and removed from office.
ReplyDeleteWas Allentown a more attractive place 50 years ago? Were the streets cleaner and safer? Was the city run more efficiently with the parks tip top and the Youth Sports Leagues strong? Was city hall functional and business like? Was the ASD an attractive choice for educating one’s children?
ReplyDeleteOf course none of this matters. All that matters is the condition of today’s streets, neighborhoods, parks and schools.
That a look around..
In the meantime the voters of the country have decided that illegal immigration has gone way too far for much too long.
Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and LMTwp. will all get to decide how they address the situation in the here and now.
What does this Mayor, any Mayor, have to do with the operations of the County Courthouse?
ReplyDeleteI believe this is what’s called going after “low hanging fruit.” If illegal aliens are called to the court house for criminal behavior and get picked by ice, well, so be it. Criminal behavior has consequences. I may not like the way the consequences are being administered, but I understand it. But some documentation issues take place at the courthouse, involving visas and passports. This puts individuals legally working toward citizenship within reach of ice. ICE officers also need to be identified in order for courthouse security and police to do their job. I’d put up a fight if someone with a covered face grabbed me at the courthouse and I’m an 8th generation American.
ReplyDeleteTuerk is a mayor. MAYOR. Not judge, not congressman, not senator, nor President. This is the furthest he will ever get in politics yet he thinks he is almighty powerful. The balls on this guy to step into the ring with Ali when he cant even beat Glass Joe- weakess guy in Nintendo Mike Tyson Punch out. I truly hope ICE shows up in city hall with a boom box blasting Vanilla Ice-Ice Ice Baby. Nothing Tuerk or Roca can do about it. The illegals need to leave. I dont care what Mota or Ce Ce side hustle with immigrants is either. They are part of the problem, yet too arent smart enough to see the drain illegals put on the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI hope Tuerk clarified he was there representing himself and of the clock from his job as a City of Allentown employee.
ReplyDeleteAsking a Lehigh County judge to intervene in a matter with the Federal Government is quite obviously politically theater by the mayor. Political theater is Mayor Matt’s meat and potatoes. Unfortunately he’s not very good at that either. He’s an actor and he has been playing a role for decades. He should be taking acting classes instead of “studying Chinese, Arabic next.”
ReplyDeleteMatt Tuerk is an intellectual fraud with a past that speaks to a life of privilege, travel, padded resumes, and self indulgence posing.
It is the time of day when comment warriors must contain themselves. Further comments beating up Mayor Tuerk may not appear, nor comments about how bad Democrats are.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Free speech is being screened and censored on a blog where concerned citizens can voice their frustration with elected officials? No wonder corruption in the city is able to flourish. You claim the Morning Call favors the Administration and is a failing publication. How does this blog differ if content is being censored? I am not talking about name calling and innuendo, I am talking about true concerns that citizens bring forward showing poor leadership and weak administration of government.
DeleteAlthough comments are moderated against repetition, I try not to practice censorship. I doubt that the administration considers me a supporter, but I'm glad to print comments in support of the mayor....I just don't want to print one point of view, over and over, by one person, or even different people. You might consider starting your own blog?
DeleteLet’s be fair, it is perfectly appropriate for the mayor to weigh in publicly on issues relating to other government entities impacting people and occurring in his city. He even acknowledges the judge has a right to completely ignore him. If he were silent people would be complaining about that.
ReplyDeleteFair would be an honest evaluation of the state of the City of Allentown.
DeleteForget about the current mayor, by virtue of any set of indicators the once All American City is floundering and the Allentown School District is the least attractive place to educate one’s children in Lehigh or Northampton. No one I know, absolutely no one, is eager to take out of town guests into Allentown for a weekend dining experience.
Off topic, but I noticed that the reports on the woman who was shot and is in critical condition mentioned that she was found in the 100 block of Pine Street.
ReplyDeleteThat’s not very descriptive for residents and others who might be worried about how it might impact them.
A better look at the map would show that it’s just off Front Street, and across the street from the under-renovation Neuweiler building, which is either in or adjacent to the riverfront NIZ.
One has to wonder if this isn’t another attempt to keep on the part of the press to suppress any negative news (otherwise known as reality), that contradicts the narrative of Allentown’s renaissance. I would think that a real reporter would have tried to better identify the location of Allentown’s latest shooting incident, but perhaps it’s more important to protect the story being spun from City Hall.
In any event, it might behoove those investing in the NIZ to look at whether their investment is truly being protected. Having someone in office who actually wants to clean up the city is far better for business than having someone there who simply spends their time covering things up.
My guess is that the DA is limiting the location to protect the identity of juveniles. Read the release.
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