Valley Park again barred from enforcing illegal alien ordinance
By William C. Lhotka
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/05/2007

The city of Valley Park has once again been barred by a judge from enforcing an ordinance that would deny occupancy permits to landlords who were found to rent units to illegal aliens.

St. Louis County Presiding Judge Carolyn C. Whittington issued a temporary order imposing the ban at 1:15 p.m. today.

Whittington said the prohibition would be in force for 15 days, pending a hearing April 20 before St. Louis County Associate Circuit Judge Barbara Ann Crancer.

Twice before, Judge Barbara Wallace ruled that city ordinances violated Missouri's landlord-tenant laws. The suit on which Whittington ruled was filed on behalf of three landlords and the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Commission by a coalition of 10 attorneys.

Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against Valley Park's latest effort targeting illigal immigrants. That suit is pending before a different judge.

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