Thread: Texas Mayor Opposes Illegal Immigration Ordinance

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Texas Mayor Opposes Illegal Immigration Ordinance
NewsMax.com Wires
Thursday, May 10, 2007

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas -- The mayor of the first city in Texas to forbid landlords from renting apartments to illegal immigrants is urging voters to strike down the ordinance.

It's the first time Mayor Bob Phelps has taken a public position against the measure, which was adopted in November and resulted in lawsuits and outcry from civil rights groups, residents, property owners and businesses.

Voters in this Dallas suburb on Saturday will become the first in the country to decide whether to repeal or approve a city ordinance banning apartment rentals to most illegal immigrants.

Phelps, former Mayor David Blair and former Cty Manager Richard Escalante all signed a letter Tuesday opposing the measure.

"The City should not waste millions of taxpayer's dollars to defend an ineffective ordinance that is likely never to become law," said the letter, which was an advertisement mailed by a group opposing the ordinance. "There are better ways to handle this situation and better ways to invest this money in our community."

Documents reviewed by The Associated Press show the city paid almost $262,000 in immigration-related legal fees — mostly with taxpayer money — through March. And the costs are expected to climb. Council members last month increased the city's legal budget to $444,000.

Tim O'Hare, the Farmers Branch councilman who led efforts to adopt the ordinance, said the city has the money to fight the suits. O'Hare said many in the city are upset the mayor has chosen to speak out against the ordinance.

"I respect anyone and everyone's right to speak about how they feel. That's part of the democratic proces. I just wish they would get their facts right," he said.

Phelps did not immediately return phone calls Wednesday. Police were investigating an incident in which a rock shattered a window at the mayor's home overnight.

The ordinance would require apartment managers or owners to verify the immigration or citizenship status of each apartment occupant before entering into a lease. Families that include citizens and undocumented members could lease if they meet three conditions: They're already tenants; the head of household or spouse is legally in the U.S.; and the family includes only a spouse, their minor children or parents.

Council members approved the regulation in November unanimously and then revamped it in January, saying it was necessary to protect the safety and well-being of residents. Phelps did not vote either time because the mayor only votes if there is a tie.

The City Council also approved resolutions making English the city's official language and allowing local authorities to train in a federal program so they can enforce immigration laws.

Almost immediately after the measure's approval, four separate lawsuits challenging the ordinance were filed, and opponents gathered enough signatures to force Saturday's election.

If voters approve it, the ordinance is set to take effect May 22. But opponents say they would seek a court order barring its enforcement if it passes.

Opponents contend the ordinance forces landlords to act as immigration officers and discriminates against residents based on ethnicity and national origin. Attorneys also say the ordinance attempts to regulate immigration, which is the federal government's job.

Phelps and the two former city officials said in the letter they oppose illegal immigration and want the country's laws upheld. But they said Farmers Branch can't shoulder all the responsibility for the federal government's failure in dealing with illegal immigration.

The letter would likely reach voters Wednesday or Thursday — just after the close of early voting. It likely will have only a marginal effect on voters, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University.

"It strikes me as strange because the mayor has been mayor during this process. Literally for months he was either silent or purposely ambiguous," Jillson said.

The debate over how to deal with people living in the city illegally has led to a large turnout for early voting on the issue.

More than 3,000 residents voted during early balloting, which ended Tuesday. That's hundreds more than the number who voted in each of the past two municipal elections, according to the Dallas County Elections Department.

"That's to be expected in this issue," Bruce Sherbet, the Dallas County elections administrator.

More than 90 cities or counties 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 such ordinances has generated criticism, demonstrations and lawsuits in Valley Park, Mo.; Riverside, N.J.; Escondido, Calif.; Hazleton, Pa.

© 2007 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved

So this bunch of whimps would rather surrender to the illegals than fight illegal immigration? So sad.

Hope they all enjoy living under the Mexican colors.........

What amazes me is that these jerks involved in the lawsuits against Farmers Branch will STILL pursue their lawsuits against FB, even if the local voters APPROVE the Prop!!

Does the Democratic process mean anything these days? Is "Let the Voters Decide" an empty process??? What has changed in our legal system over the years when an American's vote means nothing anymore against lawsuits??

These jerks fought for a vote to begin with (they called it "forcing the issue to a vote"). Now, if the vote doesn't go their way, they'll STILL fight? It's only OK if the voters of FB decide in their favor?? What hypocrites!!!

Hey, you Pro-Illegal lawyers, I'm one of those voters in FB who is FOR this Prop. And I'm betting I'm not the only one who is voting FOR this issue, not matter what crap and numbers you spew through the Dallas Morning News to change our minds!!

If you had one ounce of CLASS, you'd pull your lawsuits the moment the voters decide to elect Tim Scott and David Koch to the FB City Council, and vote FOR this Prop!!!

But, noooooo!!! You're going to bankrupt any small city in the nation that has the guts and courage to fight illegal immigration (as we know no LARGE city is doing anything about it), so you can get your way and take over our country.

Heck no, you La Raza/ACLU/LULAC lawyers must go!!!

TexasGal

Originally Posted by TexasGal

But, noooooo!!! You're going to bankrupt any small city in the nation that has the guts and courage to fight illegal immigration (as we know no LARGE city is doing anything about it), so you can get your way and take over our country.

TexasGal

Mayor Lou Barletta said this during the town hall meeting with Lou Dobbs. He said that the ACLU, and all of the Hispanic Amnesty groups have sent 25 lawyers to fight his little town and the intention was to break the financial back of Hazelton so that other small towns will be intimidated and not fight! This is MOB (as in Mafia) mentality as far as I am concerned.

Originally Posted by ProudAmericanFamily

Originally Posted by TexasGal

But, noooooo!!! You're going to bankrupt any small city in the nation that has the guts and courage to fight illegal immigration (as we know no LARGE city is doing anything about it), so you can get your way and take over our country.

TexasGal

Mayor Lou Barletta said this during the town hall meeting with Lou Dobbs. He said that the ACLU, and all of the Hispanic Amnesty groups have sent 25 lawyers to fight his little town and the intention was to break the financial back of Hazelton so that other small towns will be intimidated and not fight! This is MOB (as in Mafia) mentality as far as I am concerned.

I agree, this isn't what democracy is about. We have a right to self rule.