Posted on 11/13/2006 6:39:40 PM PST by Dubya
FARMERS BRANCH — Council members in this Dallas suburb unanimously approved tough new anti-immigration measures Monday evening, including one that makes English the official language.
In a series of 6-0 votes, the council members also approved fines for landlords and businesses that deal with illegal immigrants, and allowed local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to see if they are in the country illegally.
The votes were made in a room in City Hall packed with people who clapped as the votes were tallied in favor of the measures. In a parking lot outside, hundreds of protesters against the rules hoisted American flags and sang the Pledge of Allegiance in English before the votes were taken.
The vote came up in a public meeting Monday evening after an all-day closed meeting with the city attorney where council members discussed the legal ramifications of the proposals, intended to keep illegal immigrants away from the city.
Opponents of the measures, meanwhile, collected signatures on a petition urging the city not to become the first in Texas to pass such strong anti-immigrant laws. They submitted more than 80 signatures to the mayor's office Monday.
Supporters say the ordinances are necessary because the federal government has failed to address the issue.
But critics argued the proposals could lead to sanctioned discrimination and racism.
Beat me by seconds. They passed it. This has got to come to a head pretty soon.
Looks like people are doing what needs to be done one town at a time.
hallelujah!
Guess nobody told them that immigration was a losing issue. [/sarc]
We all do understand that any Federal law that includes amnesty makes any such law moot, as all of these fine people will be legal?
I'm waiting to get it up the rear from both the new dem congress and El Jorge.
I wonder how long before a judge throws it out?
Yes it does, and I hope they are able to keep all of it. If one town has to do it one at time maybe thats just how it will get done. Doesn't seem like its going to get done any other way. Good for this town!!
Good for them!
I'd say as soon as the A.C.L.U. finds a Clintoon or "Peanut boy" Judge. Then its all over.
All the more reason to push forward laws like this to rush and get them loaded on the buses back home before W and the Dims make them legal.
Head'em up, mov'em out!
I did not think the vote would be 6-0 on all measures.
Council passes tough anti-immigration measures
ANABELLE GARAY
Associated Press
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas - Council members in this Dallas suburb unanimously approved tough new anti-immigration measures Monday evening, including one that makes English the official language.
In a series of 6-0 votes, the council members also approved fines for landlords and businesses that deal with illegal immigrants, and allowed local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to see if they are in the country illegally.
The votes were made in a room in City Hall packed with people who clapped as the votes were tallied in favor of the measures. In a parking lot outside, hundreds of protesters against the rules hoisted American flags and sang the Pledge of Allegiance in English before the votes were taken.
The vote came up in a public meeting Monday evening after an all-day closed meeting with the city attorney where council members discussed the legal ramifications of the proposals, intended to keep illegal immigrants away from the city.
Opponents of the measures, meanwhile, collected signatures on a petition urging the city not to become the first in Texas to pass such strong anti-immigrant laws. They submitted more than 80 signatures to the mayor's office Monday.
Supporters say the ordinances are necessary because the federal government has failed to address the issue.
But critics argued the proposals could lead to sanctioned discrimination and racism.
"It's very much against the very fiber of this nation," said Mike Ghouse, a homebuilder with a local group called Foundation for Pluralism who has an office in Farmers Branch.
Attorneys with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, a civil rights advocacy group, told city council members during the closed meeting that the proposals could violate federal law.
The group said it would evaluate any measures approved by the council to determine their legality.
The rules could force untrained business owners and landlords to evaluate a wide array of immigration documents to determine if the person carrying them is legally in the country, MALDEF staff attorney Marisol Perez said.
"You're putting them in the shoes of an immigration officer," she said she told council members.
More than 50 municipalities nationwide have considered, passed or rejected similar laws, but until now that trend hasn't been matched in the Lone Star State.
Such sentiments and the proposed ordinances trouble many people in Texas, where many Latino families can trace their roots here to the era before statehood.
Since 1970, Farmers Branch has changed from a small, predominantly white bedroom community with a declining population to a city of almost 28,000 people, about 37 percent of them Hispanic, according to the census. It also is home to more than 80 corporate headquarters and more than 2,600 small and mid-size firms, many of them minority-owned.
"They're afraid that Farmers Branch is becoming Hispanic," said Christopher McGuire, a resident of the city and spokesman for a group called United Farmers Branch. "It's going to happen, and that's not a bad thing."
The local debate over illegal immigration began in August and spawned demonstrations by both sides.
The proposals follow a vote this year in Hazleton, Pa., to fine landlords who rent to illegal immigrants, deny business permits to companies that employ them and require tenants to register and pay for a rental permit.
However, a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of the Hazleton ordinance while he considers a lawsuit against the town by the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups.
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Farmers Branch http://www.farmersbranch.info
This is good news.
If the GOP hadn't been such %#@%*! spineless cowards and pass REAL immigration reform that starts with changing the law and holding employers responsible for hiring illegal aliens (among other missed opportunities), they would still hold the House and Senate.
Ping!
I live right next door to Farmer's Branch and I'm so excited about this. I'm hoping that it will follow to other cities including mine!
hey nieghbor, I live in Coppell and some of the Coppell school are really Farmer's Branch schools and I see the flood each day or illegals coming in and out through here.
And to boot....allowed the Democrats to steal the issue in many elections!
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