Thread: Trial On Neb. City's Immigration Law Set For 2012

OMAHA, Neb. (AP)

By TIMBERLY ROSS

Feb 18, 2011 8:48 AM ET

The Associated Press:

A legal fight over an eastern Nebraska city's ordinance that bans hiring or renting to illegal immigrants isn't likely to be resolved anytime soon. A federal judge on Thursday scheduled an April 2012 trial in the lawsuits challenging Fremont's voter-approved ban as discriminatory and contrary to what is allowed by state law. The combined lawsuits were filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska and the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund, also known as MALDEF.

The Fremont ordinance is on hold until the court case is resolved. U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp decided to keep the case in federal court after the Nebraska Supreme Court declined to intervene. A previous trial date of March 15 was canceled.

The attorney representing the city, Kris Kobach, said Thursday that it wasn't unusual for courts to grant plaintiffs more time to look for evidence. ``We do not believe any of the plaintiff's allegations are supported by the facts but respect the court's decision to give plaintiffs the opportunity to make their case,'' Kobach said.

Meanwhile, a new citizens group has formed in Fremont to help Hispanic residents combat discrimination. Luis Canahui, founder of Un Fremont Con Dignidad, which translates as One Fremont with Dignity, said discrimination against legal Hispanic residents is on the rise. He said they're accused of raising the city's crime rate, taking jobs and using tax dollars.

"Some people think all immigrants are illegal,'' said Canahui, a native of Guatemala who's lived in Fremont for 10 years. Un Fremont was formed last month and meets about every two weeks. At a recent meeting, Canahui took an informal survey of 31 adults to gauge their perceptions of discrimination in Fremont.

He said more than three-quarters of the adults said they felt they were discriminated against because of their race and more than half said they face discrimination at work.

But few official reports of discrimination have been filed. Michelle Knapp, a friend of Canahui's who advocates tolerance in Fremont, said victims of discrimination are often afraid to come forward because of the language barrier and fears of retaliation. Canahui said his group is committed to teaching ``people to understand people are people'' regardless of race. The Fremont ordinance 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 legal status. Those who said they weren't citizens would receive permits, but their legal status would be checked. If they were found to be in the country illegally and were 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.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-1 ... -2012.html

Well we'll have control of the House Senate and White House by then,
Liberal judges are going to be replaced with law abiding citizens!

Related 'Trial of Fremont law delayed till April 2012
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-1186865.html#1186865