Published Sunday May 30, 2010

Fremont in the spotlight
By Cindy Gonzalez



The Nebraska city of Fremont is snatching some of the national spotlight from Arizona as it ramps up for a special election on a controversial measure aimed at illegal immigrants.

Fremont's June 21 vote is believed to be the country's first on an anti-illegal immigration measure since the April passage of the Arizona law that ignited emotional debate and demonstrations across the country and even outside the U.S.

National groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which has challenged the Arizona law, say they are watching Fremont. So are organizations that support tougher immigration enforcement.

While Fremont's election results would directly affect only activity within the borders of the city of about 25,000, observers say the outcome stands to have a broader impact for other reasons.

A spike in legislation
State laws related to immigration have increased dramatically in recent years:

2006
570 bills introduced
84 laws enacted
12 resolutions adopted

2007
1,562 bills introduced
240 laws enacted
50 resolutions adopted

2008
1,305 bills introduced
206 laws enacted
64 resolutions adopted

2009
More than 1,500 bills introduced
222 laws enacted
131 resolutions adopted

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures



Fremont ballot initiative
Proposed ordinance No. 5165

“Shall the City of Fremont, Nebraska, enact proposed Ordinance No. 5165, amending the Fremont Municipal Code to prohibit the harboring of illegal aliens or hiring of unauthorized aliens, providing definitions, making provision for occupancy licenses, providing judicial process, repealing conflicting provisions, and establishing an effective date for this ordinance?
Yes: in favor of proposed Ordinance No. 5165
No: against proposed Ordinance No. 5165It could set a legal precedent and motivate more towns across the nation to enact similar laws, said Kris Kobach, a Kansas attorney who wrote the Arizona law and who represents the Fremont petitioners.

“Many eyes will be on Fremont, Neb., to see what happens,â€