Immigration Law

Federal Judge Strikes Down Farmer's Branch Rental Ban

By Robert Kraft

The Associated Press is reporting this afternoon that U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay has declared the Farmer's Branch rental ban (aimed at illegal immigrants) is unconstitutional. Here are excerpts:

In his decision Wednesday, the judge concluded Farmers Branch didn't defer to the federal government in immigration matters. Instead, the city tried to create its own classification to determine which noncitizens could rent in Farmers Branch.

Council members passed the ordinance last year. It would have barred apartment rentals to illegal immigrants and required landlords to verify legal status. The rule made a few exemptions for minors, seniors and some mixed-immigration status families.

Residents endorsed the law 2 to 1 in May during the nation's first public vote on a local government measure meant to combat illegal immigration.

Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on May 28, 2008 (boomark / email).