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Opponents Of Anti-Illegal Immigration Measures Petition For Vote

POSTED: 8:38 pm CST December 13, 2006

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas -- LULAC and other Hispanic groups announced Wednesday they have collected enough signatures to force a vote on three anti-illegal immigration ordinances in Farmers Branch.

Last month, city council members unanimously approved having property managers or owners verify the immigration or citizenship status of apartment renters.

Council members also approved resolutions making English the official language of the Dallas suburb, and allowing local authorities to become part of a federal program so they can enforce immigration laws.

Petitioners needed to collect at least 726 signatures, or 5 percent of the more than 14,500 voters who registered for the May election.

Organizers said they gathered about 1,400 signatures in about two weeks.

Farmers Branch officials have 15 days to review and validate the signatures on the petition as part of the process.