First city in the nation to prohibit landlords from renting to illegal immigrants

**Logan13** · 05-13-2007, 09:59 PM

First city in the nation to prohibit landlords from renting to illegal immigrants
05/13/07
AP
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — Voters in this Dallas suburb became the first in the nation Saturday to prohibit landlords from renting to illegal immigrants.

The ban was approved by a vote of 68 percent to 32 percent in final, unofficial returns.

The balloting marked the first public vote on a local government measure to crack down on illegal immigration.

"It says especially to Congress that we're tired of the out-of-control illegal immigration problem. That if Congress doesn't do something about it, cities will," said Tim O'Hare, a City Council member who was the ordinance's lead proponent.

The ordinance requires apartment managers to verify that renters are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants before leasing to them, with some exceptions.

Property managers or owners who break the rule face a misdemeanor charge punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Council members approved the ordinance in November, then revised it in January to include exemptions for minors, seniors and some families with a mix of legal residents and illegal immigrants.
Farmers Branch has become the site of protests and angry confrontations, and opponents of the regulation gathered enough signatures to force the city to put the measure on the municipal election ballot.

With Saturday's approval of the ban, opponents plan to fight it in court, and will seek a restraining order to stop the city from enforcing it.

The city was already facing four lawsuits brought by civil rights groups, residents, property owners and businesses who contend the ordinance discriminates and that it places landlords in the precarious position of acting as federal immigration officers. Their attorneys say the ordinance attempts to regulate immigration, a duty that is exclusively the federal government's. One lawsuit also alleges the council violated the state open meetings act when deciding on the ordinance.

O'Hare contends the city's economy and quality of life will improve if illegal immigrants are kept out.

Around the country, more than 90 local governments have proposed, passed or rejected laws prohibiting landlords from leasing to illegal immigrants, penalizing businesses that employ them or training police to enforce immigration laws.

Local proposals aimed at regulating illegal immigration often fail to pass constitutional muster, said Muzaffar Chishti, director of the Migration Policy Institute office at New York University School of Law.

"There is significant frustration, so that's what's driving it," Chishti said. "But the simple fact is they cannot do too much other than impress upon the Congress the need for immigration reform."

**gixxerboy1** · 05-14-2007, 10:52 AM

I think it should be passed every where. I honestly can't understand how you can be against it. Unless your a landlord.

I cant even think of an argument against it. They are here illegally. They don't have the same rights as US citizens

**spywizard** · 05-14-2007, 10:54 AM

watch for more and more of this..

but the real issue is we will end up with a national registry..

not good..

**gixxerboy1** · 05-14-2007, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by spywizard

watch for more and more of this..

but the real issue is we will end up with a national registry..
not good..

How are you getting that out of this law? What am i missing?

**gigem** · 05-14-2007, 11:30 AM

im guessing because they will want verification of whos renting

**BgMc31** · 05-14-2007, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

I think it should be passed every where. I honestly can't understand how you can be against it. Unless your a landlord.

I cant even think of an argument against it. They are here illegally. They don't have the same rights as US citizens

I agree!!!!

**Prada** · 05-14-2007, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by spywizard

watch for more and more of this..

but the real issue is we will end up with a national registry..

not good..

I agree. Landlords should have there responsibilties but they shouldnt be immigration officers either. I know many Americains dont have a passport but upon acquisition or rental agreement some form of citizenship should be provided. Now will it be the leasers responsibility to verify the authenticity of the presented documents? How about illegal immigrants using a proxy so sign the agreement? The fact of the matter is these illegal immigrants should not be in the country all toghether, they are breaking the law. What if they are illegal immigrant terrorists? The responsibilty should not be allocated to ordinary citizens because we are not resolving the issue at the root of the problem.

**gixxerboy1** · 05-14-2007, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Prada

I agree. Landlords should have there responsibilties but they shouldnt be immigration officers either. I know many Americains dont have a passport but upon acquisition or rental agreement some form of citizenship should be provided. Now will it be the leasers responsibility to verify the authenticity of the presented documents? How about illegal immigrants using a proxy so sign the agreement? The fact of the matter is these illegal immigrants should not be in the country all toghether, they are breaking the law. What if they are illegal immigrant terrorists? The responsibilty should not be allocated to ordinary citizens because we are not resolving the issue at the root of the problem.

I would expect the landlords to act like immigrations officers. But they should require proof of citizenship before signing a lease. If someone cant prove it they should just say I'm sorry i cant rent to you with out it.

**BgMc31** · 05-14-2007, 12:50 PM

The only problem is see is will they require everyone who applies for an apartment to have a passport, since illegals can get driver's licenses. What form of ID proves citizenship? The issue that will surely arise is will landlords ask everyone to prove citizenship or just those with accents or who 'look' foreign? Although I agree with this legislation, this is an extreme slippery slope. I think this will cause lots of discrimation law suits down the line. This is good in theory, I'm really interested in seeing how it's enforced.

**gixxerboy1** · 05-14-2007, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by BgMc31

The only problem is see is will they require everyone who applies for an apartment to have a passport, since illegals can get driver's licenses. What form of ID proves citizenship? The issue that will surely arise is will landlords ask everyone to prove citizenship or just those with accents or who 'look' foreign? Although I agree with this legislation, this is an extreme slippery slope. I think this will cause lots of discrimation law suits down the line. This is good in theory, I'm really interested in seeing how it's enforced.

If you a legal immigrant you should have a green card. Also a social security card would prove citizen ship

**kfrost06** · 05-14-2007, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

If you a legal immigrant you should have a green card. Also a social security card would prove citizen ship

Beware, the next step is the National ID.

**BgMc31** · 05-14-2007, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

If you a legal immigrant you should have a green card. Also a social security card would prove citizen ship

Gixxer, I don't know where you live, but I live in Vegas where illegal immigration is a huge problem, mainly because the trafficking of fraudulent social security cards. The social security card is extremely easy to duplicate and there is really no way to verify the validity of said card. A national ID, IMO, would be a great idea if you want to work on eliminating this immigration problem. IMO, the answer to this problem is to work on securing our borders and fast tracking the illegals already here. IMO, it will take far to many resources and money to try to track down all the illegals currently here and ship them back to their countries of origin.

**gixxerboy1** · 05-14-2007, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by BgMc31

Gixxer, I don't know where you live, but I live in Vegas where illegal immigration is a huge problem, mainly because the trafficking of fraudulent social security cards. The social security card is extremely easy to duplicate and there is really no way to verify the validity of said card. A national ID, IMO, would be a great idea if you want to work on eliminating this immigration problem. IMO, the answer to this problem is to work on securing our borders and fast tracking the illegals already here. IMO, it will take far to many resources and money to try to track down all the illegals currently here and ship them back to their countries of origin.

I never really thought about how easy it is to get fake papers. I don't have a problem with an national id or requirement to get a passport

**spywizard** · 05-14-2007, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

How are you getting that out of this law? What am i missing?

the steady errosion of privacy, and personal rights is the issue.. this is just one step closer to an enforceable police state..

we already have a police state.. this will make it easier..

**spywizard** · 05-14-2007, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

I would expect the landlords to act like immigrations officers. But they should require proof of citizenship before signing a lease. If someone cant prove it they should just say I'm sorry i cant rent to you with out it.

the states don't require proof before giving drivers license.. and there is no expiration on the license that ties to their visa..

oh wait.. it does here in Minnesota..