Thread: Farmers Branch to repeal immigration ordinance

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

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.

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.

What you going to do now OBL? Sue the voters?

Dixie ...I needed that :P I think the votes should sue the real estate agent