Latino advocates file lawsuit against Farmers Branch

by PegNews wire

FARMERS BRANCH — The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants' Rights Project filed a lawsuit against Farmers Branch on Friday. They maintain that the Farmers Branch ordinance requiring renters to obtain a license is unconstitutional. On Friday, a judge issued a restraining order against Farmers Branch from enforcing the ordinance, which the city had planned on putting into effect Monday (today).

Posted by T.G.

Staff
Verified User
Anonymous

I really wish illegals would stop whining...

Collin Gouldin Verified

1 year, 2 months ago
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It really is a weird law. I can see having a reservation about getting a license just to rent in a city. That is kind of odd. That said, I don't think the law mentions language proficiency or melanin levels for skin appearance. It just asks "Are you legal to be here?" Ex-Felons have that problem in lots of similar cases when they move, but they've already been convicted. In this case, it would only affect suspected criminals.

I wonder if I could pass that test with what I have in my wallet or in my car. Anybody know what it takes to prove citizenship there? I can't find any specifics anywhere.

Jason Rice Verified

1 year, 2 months ago
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Pegasus Editors/Publisher:

Your labeling as Xenophobic, people who beleive in enforcing our immigraion laws is dispicable.

The ACLU, and Mexican American Defense League are bigots and favor the rights of illegals over working American citizens.

Illegal immigration only hurts the working class in America. Your pro illegal immigration stance is anti-working class and anti-American.

bobdon000 Anonymous

1 year, 2 months ago
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i don't think they have a stance... they just tell us the stories...

Collin Gouldin Verified

1 year, 2 months ago
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Xenophobia is a fear of outsiders -- not an irrational fear of outsiders. I'm comfy being called xenophobic. I'm also scared of heights. You can die from up there.

Jason Rice Verified

1 year, 2 months ago
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Sigh. I've explained this before and I'm sure I will again.

We like to have fun with our story tags (see: Hotties; People Standing in Line; Questionable Judgment; etc.), which also control The Daily You. I decided to use Farmers Branch Xenophobia instead of just Farmers Branch for a little zest. And I know there are those on staff who agree/disagree. That's fine-- we encourage that.

For the record, I don't find a desire to see US immigration laws upheld to be xenophobic. But when you spend a small fortune in taxpayer money on legal fees as a municipality, Quixotically pursuing an issue that is outside your lawmaking power -- especially as you are consistently smacked down by higher courts -- I don't see how you can't call it xenophobic.

I'm pro-American and pro-working class. But I'm anti-waste when it comes to time and money -- which Farmers Branch / O'Hare's misguided efforts are in this case. It's on a par with deciding that the IRS isn't doing a good enough job of collecting income taxes and creating a local income tax or deciding that the armed forces are slacking and fielding a municipal army to send to Iraq.

When you go to these kind of lengths, it's not hard to argue that the stance goes well beyond law-and-order patriotism.

Mike Orren Staff

1 year, 2 months ago
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Issue can be boiled down to something easy: is Farmers Branch doing something illegal?

If you're so gung-ho about keeping illegal immigrants out because they're, well, illegal, you really can't complain when someone else calls someone out for a potentially unconstitutional act.