Samuel Orozco hosted his internationally-syndicated radio show, "Linea Abierta," Friday from the studios of Radio Centro, Lancaster's Spanish-language station.

And, he will speak tonight at a banquet marking the 20th anniversary of the local station,WLCH-FM 91.3.

The banquet, expected to draw 300 people, starts at 6 p.m. at the Lancaster Host Resort.

"I'm coming over here basically to be part of the celebration, to be part of the joy," said Orozco, the 52-year-old news and information director of Radio Bilingue in San Francisco.

Orozco said Spanish-language stations such as Radio Centro can be "a bridge between the overall society and these struggling communities who are trying to make ends meet."

But operating them, on a sometimes-shoestring budget can be difficult - a fact that Orozco said testifies to Radio Centro's success. "Every year we live in crisis," he joked.

Radio Centro is one of 14 Spanish-language public radio stations in the country, and one of four on the East Coast.

In 1981, Orozco, a native of Mexico, began in radio as a volunteer producer at Fresno, Calif-based Radio Bilingue, a then- emerging station.

"Línea Abierta," the hourlong show he now hosts, is broadcast weekdays at 3 p.m. on more than 100 affiliates, including Radio Centro. Its format is similar to NPR's "Talk of the Nation," with guests and callers discussing an issue.

On Friday, the topic was Hazleton Mayor Louis Barletta's backing of an ordinance to penalize business that hire illegal immigrants and landlords who rent to them. Legal challenges, which continue, have kept the ordinance from taking effect.

Friday's show included a pre-taped interview with Barletta, Hispanic leaders from Hazleton and Lancaster City Councilman Jose Urdaneta.

Barletta made his case at a Lancaster Rotary Club luncheon early this month. 

While Orozco said he seeks balance, he acknowledged he can't claim objectivity on Barletta's immigration stance, which he characterized as "ill-conceived."

"He's betting on this punishment-type of approach that seems to be popular with his constituency," he said.

Orozco also took issue with Barletta's effort to make English the official language of Hazleton.

Orozco said Spanish-language information helps new immigrants navigate American society, which makes them better citizens. Plus, he said speaking English will always be a goal.

"I haven't ever met one single Latino immigrant I know that doesn't want to learn English," Orozco said.