Barletta renews legal hiring call

Wednesday, 16 July 2008
By JILL WHALEN
Staff Writer

All employers in the United States must have their workers complete a short form to prove they are eligible for employment.

Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta wants businesses to follow the law — and asked them to promote the fact that their employees are documented workers.

Barletta, with the help of representatives from an employment verification service, issued the “Lou Barletta I-9 Challenge” on Tuesday. I-9 refers to the employment eligibility document that must be filled out by all full- and part-time workers.Barletta, whose bid to unseat a 12-term congressman is based largely on his reputation as an anti-illegal immigration crusader, is trying to keep his signature issue alive even as voters turn their attention to the troubled economy and rising gas prices.