By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – For the second time this week, a St. Louis County judge has barred officials in the suburb of Valley Park from enforcing an ordinance aimed at combating illegal immigration.
On Monday, Judge Barbara Wallace issued a temporary restraining order against the first Valley Park law passed in July. Then Tuesday aldermen approved a more detailed version. But Wednesday, Judge Wallace blocked it as well, saying it needs more review.
Linda Martinez is one of the attorneys suing the city. She says among other things, the ordinance violates basic rights of due process.
"Somebody can make a complaint. Nobody gets to see that complaint," Martinez said. You have to, in abrogation of your Fifth Amendment rights, give up information, not knowing what the complaint is, not knowing who the complainant is. And then the punishment is imposed on you immediately with no recourse to court, with no recourse to administrative law."
A hearing on a preliminary injunction is set for November first.
Valley Park City Attorney Eric Martin declined to comment.