Up to $4 Million Farmers Branch...Really, I mean Really???

The city of Farmers Branch, Texas has already spent $3.3 million of tax payer money to force property owners to police whether or not their tenant is an illegal alien and says it intends to file an appeal over a Federal Judges ruling that the city's actions are unconstitutional.  This additional action could cost over $600,000 according to the city's financial director.

In this time when "too much government" is a  fiery issue and the state of Texas is suing the federal government because of too much government interference, the city of Farmers Branch is asking it's citizens to shell out millions to fight a fight that tramples on property rights of individuals? 

Is this how you want your tax dollars spent Farmers Branch...Really?

Federal judge strikes down Farmers Branch ordinance against renting to illegal immigrants 2:10 PM CT

02:25 PM CDT on Wednesday, March 24, 2010

By DIANNE SOLIS / The Dallas Morning News
dsolis@dallasnews.com A Farmers Branch ordinance banning illegal immigrants from renting apartments in the city is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled today.

Download: Read the decision

 

U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle of Dallas found that the ordinance was an attempt to enforce U.S. immigration laws -- something the judge said only the federal government can do.
Boyle issued a permanent injunction to stop Farmers Branch from enforcing its Ordinance 2952.
"Ordinance 2952 is a regulation of immigration and is preempted by the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution because the authority to regulate immigration is exclusively a federal power," she wrote in her ruling.

"The Ordinance applies federal immigration classifications for purposes not authorized or contemplated by federal law. As a result, the Ordinance creates an additional restriction on alien residence in the city."
Farmers Branch Mayor Tim O’Hare, a strong supporter of the ordinance, said he would favor appealing Boyle's ruling. But, he said, the City Council would have to vote on that.
“The American people are tired of judges legislating from the bench,” O’Hare said. “We will finally have our opportunity to have this matter heard at the appellate court level, where we fully expect to prevail. This decision is not unexpected but welcomed, because it allows us to get closer to this ordinance becoming reality.”

Farmers Branch for years has been trying to enforce a ban on landlords renting to illegal immigrants, and Ordinance 2952 was the most recent effort. Previous versions of the ordinance have been struck down by the federal courts.

The city has spent about $3.3 million fighting lawsuits challenging its efforts over the years. The City Council was told in February by its finance director that another $623,000 might be needed in the year ahead.
The renters' ordinances regarding illegal immigrants and the resulting lawsuits have intensified frictions in the community and surrounding areas -- and drawn national attention. Two-thirds of Farmers Branch voters approved a version of the ordinance in a vote in 2007.