Thread: Neb. city could suspend law on illegal immigrants

This heading should read.." City Council wimping out because of Open Borders crowd bullying"




Neb. city could suspend law on illegal immigrants

Associated Press - July 23, 2010 4:45 PM ET

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Fremont City Council will consider suspending implementation of a controversial new law banning hiring or renting property to illegal immigrants.

The council says in a Friday news release that a resolution on the suspension will be taken up at its Tuesday meeting.

The city faces two federal lawsuits from civil rights groups over the voter-approved ordinance. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund say the ordinance amounts to discrimination.

The ban is set to go into effect on Thursday. A federal judge has scheduled a Wednesday hearing on whether to temporarily block the law.

The council says it plans to defend the law in court.



http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12861539

Neb. town may halt immigration law to save money
By MARGERY A. BECK (AP) – 3 hours ago

OMAHA, Neb. — Faced with expensive legal challenges, officials in the eastern Nebraska town of Fremont are considering suspending a voter-approved ban on hiring or renting property to illegal immigrants until the lawsuits are resolved.

The City Council narrowly rejected the ban in 2008, prompting supporters to gather enough signatures for the ballot measure. The ordinance, which was approved by voters last month, has divided the community. Supporters say it was necessary to make up for what they see as lax federal law enforcement and opponents argue that it could fuel discrimination.

But the council's president, Scott Getzschman, insisted the elected body was concerned about money, not about any lack of support for the ordinance. The City Council is scheduled to vote on suspending the ban on Tuesday night, a day before the city goes to court over the measure.

The city faces lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund. City officials have estimated that Fremont's costs of implementing the ordinance — including legal fees, employee overtime and improved computer software — would average $1 million a year.

Getzschman said it's not clear how much money the city would save by suspending enforcement of the ordinance. A court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, when a federal judge was expected to consider whether to temporarily block the ban from taking effect as scheduled Thursday. That hearing would likely still take place, though it could be shorter than expected.

Getzschman insisted the council is trying to act in the city's best interests and limit legal costs, even if the savings are small. In the meantime, the city has postponed informational meetings on the ban that were scheduled for this week.

"It just boils down to the fact that the restraining order and injunction is imminent," Getzschman said. "And as a city of Fremont, we're looking at ways of reducing costs."

Ricardo Meza, lead attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund, said that while his group would support a suspension of the ban, a court order temporarily blocking the ordinance could still be needed if the language of the city's resolution is unclear.

The ordinance has put Fremont on the list with Arizona and other cities in the national debate over immigration regulations. Arizona's sweeping law also takes effect Thursday and requires police who stop people suspected of violating a law to check the immigration status of anyone they think is in the country illegally.

The ACLU and the Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund say the Fremont ordinance amounts to discrimination.

It would require employers to use a federal online system that checks whether a person is permitted to work in the U.S.

It also would require people seeking to rent property to apply for a $5 permit at City Hall. Those who said they were citizens would receive a permit and would not have to provide documents proving their legal status. Those who said they weren't citizens would receive permits, but their legal status would be checked. If they're found to be in the country illegally and are unable to resolve their status, they would be forced to leave the property.

Landlords who knowingly rent to illegal immigrants could be subject to $100 fines.

Amy Miller, legal director of ACLU Nebraska, said suspending the ordinance would ensure her clients wouldn't be harmed and could help heal some of the division in the city over the issue.

"If the City Council decides to stop the law from going into effect themselves, that would be a step in the right direction," Miller said.

___

Associated Press Writer Josh Funk contributed to this story from Omaha, Neb.

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If you would like to make some calls to put pressure on the Fremont City Council to hire Kris Kobach - here is the contact name and numbers. The city council meeting is tonight -- Thanks for all your help :

JULY 27, 2010 ----ACTION ALERT MODE----

1) Please call the Fremont City Council, Mayor, City Atty Skokan and City Administrator Bob Hartwig TODAY (ph #s Below). Tell them to HIRE Kris Kobach Two items on the city council agenda for tonight's meeting - the hiring of a defense attorney and suspension of the Illegal Alien Ordinance. The study discussion is scheduled to begin at 6pm the meeting at 7pm - get there early and fill up the chamber 400 E. Military Ave. Take pics of any Mexican flag waving or other behavior you think the citizens should see. BELOW is the story article link below, City Council and Board of Supervisors Phone Numbers and the council agenda:
Here’s a related AP story - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 04093.html

City Administrator: Bob Hartwig 402-727-2630
City Attorney: Dean Skokan 402-727-2630
Mayor Donald "Skippy" Edwards: 402-727-2630
City Council Members:
Jeff Kuhr 402-721-3332
Jennifer Bixby 402-753-3112
Jon Gilfry 402-753-3082
Sean Gitt 402-727-6092
Scott Getzshman 402-721-6301
John Anderson 402-721-4036
Steve Navarrette 402-727-2632 or 2630
Board of Supervisors:
Rob George 402-727-0833 Dist 1 Fremont
Leo Thietje 402-721-8585 Dist 2 Fremont
Lon Strand 402-654-2455 Dist 3 Hooper
Kenneth Walter 402-652-8603 Dist 4 North Bend
Bob Nissel 402- 727-1531 Dist 5 Fremont
Do Not Call-Wife just passed Dist 6 Fremont
Dan Stoeber 402-727-3911 Dist 7 Fremont


1a) The Nebraska GOP is holding its state convention in Fremont Nebraska this Friday and Saturday July 30th & 31st. Please call asking them to cancel their convention in Fremont if the city council does not hire Kris Kobach. 402-475-2122 www.negop.org

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Nebraska town may halt immigration law to save money

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