Thread: Farmers Branch councilman pushes immigration debate

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hea ... 88860.html
(notice the comments at the bottom of page)

Farmers Branch councilman pushes immigration debate

By ANABELLE GARAY
Associated Press

FARMERS BRANCH — The councilman who steered his Dallas suburb into the nationwide political debate over immigration says his campaign to force out illegal immigrants began with late-night drives around his hometown.

Tim O'Hare said he saw too many people crowding into unkempt homes, upscale houses languishing on the market and empty storefronts throughout this city of about 28,000.

"The retail spots ... for every two that went vacant, one would be filled by a Spanish-speaking business, then, you ... saw what was once a really, really, really nice neighborhood start to decline," O'Hare, 37, said in an interview with The Associated Press at the ornately decorated two-story home he shares with his two dogs.

O'Hare, a first-term city councilman and personal injury lawyer, believes those issues could be resolved if illegal immigrants left Farmers Branch.

Last summer, O'Hare began pushing the city to enact one of the most sweeping anti-illegal immigration measures in the U.S.

Council members — several attend church with O'Hare — unanimously approved an ordinance last winter requiring apartment managers to make sure renters are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants before leasing to them, with few exceptions. Farmer's Branch residents endorsed the ordinance by a 2-to-1 margin in May, the nation's first public vote on a local government measure meant to combat illegal immigration.

"It's going to make our school system better, it's going to lead to retail and commercial redevelopment and its going to lead to neighborhood revitalization," O'Hare said.

Critics say O'Hare has no research to back up his claims that illegal immigrants are to blame for his city's perceived problems. In fact, statistics show the city's crime rate has been falling, property values have increased and the state has given its schools the second-highest rating possible.

"The ... things he said turned out to be lies, and he knows he's lying," said resident Christopher McGuire, who campaigned against the ordinance.

With Congress unable to pass sweeping immigration reform legislation, more than 90 cities or counties around the country have proposed, passed or rejected laws prohibiting landlords from leasing to illegal immigrants, penalizing businesses that employ undocumented workers or training police to enforce immigration laws.

Approval of these anti-illegal-immigration ordinances has generated criticism, demonstrations and lawsuits in such towns as Valley Park, Mo.; Riverside, N.J.; Escondido, Calif.; and Hazleton, Pa., as well as Farmers Branch.

No one disputes that Farmers Branch has changed since O'Hare grew up here in a tiny house, raised by a single mom. Immigrants — legal, illegal and many of them Hispanic — have moved into what was once a predominantly white community with a declining population.

O'Hare said he believes many do not learn English, are not loyal to the U.S. and don't pay their fair share of taxes.

"Then I found out that the school district is spending umpteen million dollars of taxpayer money to build a school whose sole purpose is to teach kids English. Well, that's not fair ... when that 14 million bucks should be spent for every kid in the district and it shouldn't be spent to make this person better suited to get a job than the people who have been here and paid their taxes all along."

The debate has generated shouting matches among neighbors and left the city mired in lawsuits. For now, a federal judge has blocked Farmers Branch from enforcing the law until the case goes to trial or is otherwise resolved.

Still, the ordinance has made it clear illegal immigrants aren't welcome in Farmers Branch, O'Hare said. He believes that's driven a decline in crime, even though local police don't track the legal status of those arrested.

"It's OK to put two and two together," O'Hare said. "You don't always have to have proof."

Tim's our man!

Dixie

I sent Councilman O'Hare an email expressing support for his effort. I hope others will too. Just a suggestion...... when I send a letter of support to a council member, I send a copy to the other members just to keep them in touch with the pulse of the nation.

http://www.ci.farmers-branch.tx.us/City ... uncil.html

He believes that's driven a decline in crime, even though local police don't track the legal status of those arrested.

Why hasn't Farmers Branch applied for the 287(g) program?