By BJ Austin
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-712321.mp3
Dallas, TX – Judge Lindsey issued a permanent injunction against Farmers Branch - barring it from implementing Ordinance 2903, passed by the City Council, and later approved by a two-to-one margin of the voters. It required landlords to check immigration status before renting, and face hefty fines from renting to illegal immigrants.
Michael Jung, attorney for Farmers Branch, says the Judge did NOT rule on the constitutionality of a SECOND ordinance. It requires each renter to get a residential occupancy permit from City Hall - and it includes an immigration status check by federal officials. No legal documents no permit.
Jung: "It has not been tested in court yet, but we are very optimistic it will pass any court challenges levied against it. I think other cities are adopting a wait and see attitude until they see how this case comes out, and other cases in Pennsylvania, Missouri and Arizona come out. Farmers Branch is in the vanguard on this issue."
Jung says the occupancy permit is to go into effect 15 days after the Judge issues the final judgment in the case. But he says Farmers Branch is bracing for more lawsuits. Lulac's Rene Martinez says he is please with the ruling that strikes down the ordinance that Hispanic protesters earlier labeled as hateful and harmful.