Federal judge upholds Mo. town's ordinance punishing businesses that hire illegal immigrants

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. LOUIS — A federal judge has upheld an ordinance in a suburban St. Louis town that penalizes businesses that hire illegal immigrants.

U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber ruled late Thursday that the city of Valley Park, Mo.'s ordinance is not pre-empted by federal law, does not discriminate against Hispanics and does not violate due-process rights or Missouri law.

The ordinance "is not preempted by federal law, to the contrary, federal law specifically permits such licensing laws as the one at issue," Webber wrote.

Valley Park is one of several cities around the country that have attempted to clamp down on illegal immigration, citing a lack of federal action.

Kris Kobach, a University of Missouri-Kansas City law professor who handled the case for Valley Park, said the ruling "gives a green light to other communities" looking to adopt similar legislation.