Rental ban may divide a town on immigration

The controversy peaked eight days ago when Farmers Branch residents became the first in the nation to approve such a measure -- by 68% to 32% in a strong turnout. Similar apartment rental bans adopted elsewhere were decided by city officials, not voters.

The American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal judge to block the ordinance but -- barring a last-minute restraining order -- enforcement will begin Tuesday, said City Councilman Tim O'Hare.

"The problems associated with illegal immigration are out of control," said O'Hare, the lead proponent of the measure. "This is a very pro-American vote and a pro-American town."

At tired-looking apartment complexes along Josey Lane, in a largely Latino section of town, residents wondered whether the measure would worsen anti-immigrant sentiment.

"People work in jobs no one else wants. Now they are kicked out where they live. It's mean," said Blanca Benitez, a renter. She has lived legally in Farmers Branch for three years, she said, but now feels uncomfortable and unwanted in stores and other public places around town. "How would it make you feel?" she said.

The new regulation requires apartment managers to verify before renting that the prospective tenants are U.S. citizens or legal immigrants. Violators face fines of up to $500. Exceptions will be made for renters who signed a lease before May 22 and certain families in which the head of household or that person's spouse is in the U.S. legally.

"We welcome anyone to Farmers Branch that has a legal right to be in the country. But if you're not, you're not welcome here," O'Hare said.

In 1970, more than 90% of residents were white. In 2000, the latest year for which census data were available, 78% of its 27,000 residents were white; 37% residents were white or nonwhite Latinos. Support for the ordinance signals frustration with federal enforcement of immigration laws, resident Lee Ann Franklin said.

"People say they come here for the American dream, but I don't think that's true," she said. "I don't think making money here to send to their families, not learning English, and expecting signs and everything to be in Spanish, is a way to assimilate."