Thread: Farmers Branch - Coalition pushes for immigration overhaul

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/16491688.htm

Posted on Thu, Jan. 18, 2007

Farmers Branch to repeal immigration ordinance
By PATRICK McGEE
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

Coalition pushes for immigration overhaul
Farmers Branch officials are drafting an ordinance aimed at repealing the city’s ban on the renting of apartments to illegal immigrants.

The City Council voted 5-0 Wednesday to order the city’s attorneys to draft a new ordinance that would leave the issue up to voters to decide whether landlords should be prevented from renting to illegal immigrants.

The council approved its ban in November, prompting lawsuits from minority business owners. Residents also submitteed a petition that forced a referendum on the ban for the May 12 election.

Two council members reached by phone Thursday declined comment on why they voted to have the city attorney draft language to repeal their ban and come up with new apartment complex licensing standards.

City spokesman Tom Bryson said the vote occurred during a special meeting but declined further comment.

The new standards will regard “citizenship and/or immigration certification requirements,” according to a letter from City Secretary Cindee Peters.

The letter says the new ordinance will be reviewed at Monday’s City Council meeting. If approved by voters, the ordinance would take effect May 22, according to the letter.

The letter was not addressed to anyone but was supplied to the media by a law firm representing Farmers Branch real estate agent Guillermo Ramos. Ramos is suing the city over the rental ordinance. City officials confirmed the letter’s authenticity.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/16497268.htm

Posted on Fri, Jan. 19, 2007

Farmers Branch weighs repeal of ban
By PATRICK McGEE
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

FARMERS BRANCH - The City Council on Monday will review an ordinance aimed at repealing the city's ban on renting apartments to illegal immigrants.

The council voted 5-0 Wednesday to order the city's attorney to draft a new ordinance that would let voters decide whether landlords should be prevented from renting to illegal immigrants.

The council approved its ban in November, prompting lawsuits from minority business owners. Residents also submitted a petition that forced a referendum on the ban for the May 12 election. How the council's action could affect that referendum is unclear.

Councilmen Bill Moses and Ben Robinson, reached by phone Thursday, declined comment on why they voted to have the city attorney draft a new ordinance and come up with new standards on apartment complex licensing.

City spokesman Tom Bryson said the vote occurred during a special meeting but declined further comment.

The new standards will regard "citizenship and/or immigration certification requirements," according to a letter from City Secretary Cindee Peters.

The letter says the council will review the proposed new ordinance Monday. If approved by voters, the ordinance would take effect May 22, according to the letter. The council's original ban was scheduled to take effect Jan. 12 but was blocked by an injunction issued by District Court Judge Bruce Priddy.

Peters' letter was not addressed to anyone but was supplied to the media by Bickel & Brewer of Dallas, a law firm representing Farmers Branch real estate agent Guillermo Ramos. Ramos is suing the city over the rental ordinance. City officials confirmed the letter's authenticity.

Ramos' attorney, Bill Brewer, said Farmers Branch attorneys presented the letter to Priddy on Thursday. Brewer interpreted the move as a victory for his side.

"They voted to retreat," he said of the council. "They were getting hammered."

He said he does not know what the proposed ordinance will say.

Mayor Bob Phelps and city attorneys did not return phone calls.

Robinson said people can read the proposed ordinance when it is posted on the city's Web site late today.

www.farmersbranch.info

"They voted to retreat," he said of the council. "They were getting hammered."

Darn, wish the council would have stood its ground.