Judge's schedule OK means Farmers Branch won't enforce immigrant rental ban yet 11:21 AM CT

11:22 AM CDT on Monday, September 22, 2008
By STEPHANIE SANDOVAL / The Dallas Morning News
ssandoval@dallasnews.com

Farmers Branch’s latest effort to halt property rentals to illegal immigrants is on hold until a lawsuit seeking to have it struck down as unconstitutional is resolved.


U.S. District Court Judge Jane Boyle on Monday agreed to a proposal from the city and the attorneys for one group of plaintiffs that will have the case to trial, if necessary, by December.

With the judge’s approval of that schedule, a temporary restraining order issued 10 days ago has been converted into a preliminary injunction — meaning the city will not enforce its ordinance until the trial.


Another group of plaintiffs opposed the agreement. Nina Perales, regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said that organization is involved in similar court actions across the country and need more time to prepare.


But Judge Boyle, who consolidated the two suits, said if the city is willing to hold off on the ordinance in order to move things along, she was agreeable to the expedited schedule. She encouraged the attorneys to work together to speed up the trial process.


[b]“I’m sympathetic with everyone’s position here,â€