( CNN ) -- A pair of illegal immigration ordinances in Hazleton , Pennsylvania , were ruled unconstitutional Thursday by a federal appeals court . In 2006 , Hazleton passed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act Ordinance , which would have fined landlords who rented to undocumented immigrants and would have penalized companies that employed them . Under another law , tenants would have had to prove they were citizens or lawful residents , register with the city and pay for a rental permit in order to receive an occupancy permit . The ordinances were copied by other cities . Both were challenged before going into effect and found unconstitutional in 2007 by a U.S. District Court . The court ruled that Hazleton can not enact any ordinances dealing with illegal immigration because they conflict with the supremacy clause of the U.S. constitution . `` Today 's decision makes the Third Circuit the most liberal court in America on immigration issues , '' said a statement from Lou Barletta , Hazelton 's mayor . `` This ruling is a loss for Hazleton and its legal residents . '' But the American Civil Liberties Union called the decision by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , `` a major victory in the fight against state and local anti-immigration . '' Hazelton attorney Kris Kobach said the city will appeal the case and is ready to take it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court , if necessary .
Federal court throws out laws regarding where illegal aliens can live , work . Judge ##d ordinances conflict with supremacy clause of U.S. constitution . Law would have punished landlords for renting to illegal aliens .