Dallas Suburb Adopts New Anti-Illegal Immigrant Rule
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas (AP) - Leaders of a Dallas suburb that was blocked from enforcing a ban on leasing apartments to illegal immigrants approved a new rule Tuesday to require prospective tenants to get a city license to rent homes and apartments.
The measure, approved unanimously by the City Council, requires tenants to provide information to the city, which would then check with the federal government to determine the person’s immigration status.
Anyone deemed an illegal immigrant would be banned from renting.
Nearly 200 people packed into City Hall for the council vote. Dozens lauded the council, while dozens more denounced city officials for continuing to push immigration-related measures.
“Here we go again. … I believe that this will not stand, also,” Farmers Branch resident Jose Galvez said.
A November 2006 ordinance barred apartment rentals to illegal immigrants and was revised in January 2007 to include exemptions for minors, seniors and some mixed-immigration status families. Residents endorsed the law 2 to 1 in May.
But a federal judge blocked Farmers Branch from enforcing the ordinance after finding that city officials tried to regulate immigration differently from the federal government. The case remains in court.
The city hired a law firm to rework the ban, officials said.
Farmers Branch would use a database employed by state and federal agencies to verify whether immigrants are entitled to certain benefits, such as housing and food stamps, said Michael Jung, an attorney with Strasburger & Price LLP.
With the new proposal, a person who isn’t a U.S. citizen would provide a number issued by the federal government that shows their lawful presence in the U.S. The number could be from any of a variety of legal documents.
If federal authorities cannot confirm legal residency status, the person would have 60 days to provide proof.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said there is no such database the city can use for the purpose they say they intend to use it for.
“There is no database where the city or anyone can pick up the phone and give alienage, like yes this person is legal or no that person isn’t legal; there is no such database,” Maria Elena Garcia-Upson said.
In addition, the database the city refers to excludes people in the country legally, such as foreign students, but who are not eligible for federal or state benefits, she said.
The city’s measure would take effect 15 days after a ruling on the ordinance currently being contested in court.
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See the sign about being racist…because the illegal immigrants are Mexican, they take it upon themselves to presume your racist…
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm“Residents endorsed the law 2 to 1 in May.” . . . Yes, they brought it to a vote, the citizens spoke, AND THEY STILL HAVE TO PUT UP WITH ALL THIS LEGAL MUMBO, JUMBO . . .
This is an ongoing battle and the Farmer’s Branch City Council and larger community has been a shining symbol of fierce righteousness, standing up against what is wrong with this country. They continue to have tremendous legal bills due to assaults by the crazed pro-Illegal groups, but they refuse to back down. They get no help from the Texas Republican politicians. The DFW media implies racism in every report.
I spend as much of my consumer dollars in their city and am proud to call them my neighbor. I hope they continue the fight.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 pm“Jose Galvez” can’t see what all the fuss is about. Please.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:09 amEver hear about an illegal immigration problem in Mexico? No? That’s because they enforce their laws, if your caught in Mexico illegally you’ll most likely end up in a Mexican prison at best deported. The people of Farmers Branch have it right!
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:36 amNice to see the City of Farmer’s Branch doing something about illegal immigration that the federal government refuses to do. Naturally, they are labeled racists by the typical crowd of the real racists.
Keep charging forward Farmer’s Branch!
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:42 am