| RIVERSIDE, NJ - The American Civil Liberties Union praised Riverside's township council vote tonight to repeal an unlawful ordinance that would have punished landlords and employers for renting to or employing individuals it classified as "illegal" immigrants. Tonight's vote was prompted by a lawsuit brought by a coalition of residents, businesses and landlords represented by the ACLU, the ACLU of New Jersey, the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the People For the American Way Foundation, and the law firm of Ragonese, Albano & Viola. "We commend Riverside for repealing this wrong-headed law," said Ed Barocas, Legal Director at the ACLU of New Jersey. "In addition to being illegal, the passage of this ordinance promoted distrust of immigrants - including those here legally - and fueled xenophobia and discrimination." |