Council passes tough anti-immigration measures [TEXAS]

Associated Press ^ | Nov. 13, 2006 | Associated Press

[Dubya]

FARMERS BRANCH — Council members in this Dallas suburb unanimously approved tough new anti-immigration measures Monday evening, including one that makes English the official language.

In a series of 6-0 votes, the council members also approved fines for landlords and businesses that deal with illegal immigrants, and allowed local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to see if they are in the country illegally.

The votes were made in a room in City Hall packed with people who clapped as the votes were tallied in favor of the measures. In a parking lot outside, hundreds of protesters against the rules hoisted American flags and sang the Pledge of Allegiance in English before the votes were taken.

The vote came up in a public meeting Monday evening after an all-day closed meeting with the city attorney where council members discussed the legal ramifications of the proposals, intended to keep illegal immigrants away from the city.

Opponents of the measures, meanwhile, collected signatures on a petition urging the city not to become the first in Texas to pass such strong anti-immigrant laws. They submitted more than 80 signatures to the mayor's office Monday.

Supporters say the ordinances are necessary because the federal government has failed to address the issue.

But critics argued the proposals could lead to sanctioned discrimination and racism.

[engrpat]

A lot of people seem to be really worried about what the Dems and Bush will do and I am one of them but I wonder if the dems are really in a hurry to get involved in this as they know what the polling numbers look like. I asked a DUmmy friend that if so many of the democrats were against the amnesty bill why weren't they vocal? He said why should they, let the republicans carry the water and take the heat, now the table has turned. I think there is a lot of hand wringing going on in the back rooms in DC. This amnesty thing may not be a done deal and cities like this taking action only adds fuel to the fire.

[tobyhill]

Coppell is a beautiful city and I am a little worried about Farmers Branch driving them to the surrounding suburbs but this may become a precedence for Carrollton, Irving, Lewisville, Coppell and other immediate surrounding areas.

[ImpBill]

Hope they have lots of money, for the ACLU is going to sue the pants off of them. I also hope they prevail through the SCOTUS.

[ConservaTexan]

If the state and federal governments are going to ignore this issue, then local governments are going to have to deal with it. I saw a bumper sticker this morning in the Austin area that had a Speedy Gonzalez character and the following message:

Don't Shoot!
I am not a terrorist, I am a Mexican.

For a few moments I seriously contemplated having an episode of road rage.

[altura]

They allow illegals in Coppell? They don't even allow me there, my car is too old.

[altura]

Well, Irving is now the multi-cultural center of the universe!

I mean really.

This has happened in the last 20 years. Or maybe ten.

[Halls]

it is too late for Irving! The mayor there has already said he won't make his cops work with the FBI to turn over illegals. NICE!

[Halls]

Yeah, I was born and raised in Irving and it used to be so different. I went to one of their high schools and when I was there it was filled with a a bunch of rich snobby white kids with a few minorities here and there. Now, there are hardly any white kids, gangs, crime, and you name it going on in that school!

[bjcintennessee]

It's a crying-damn-shame that new laws have to be made simply to enforce the old laws!

Anyway --- hope this spreads to every county, parrish, city and state soon!

[wayoverthehill]

I lived in Irving from 1969 to 1978 and then again from 1981-1984. Now it is just a pesthole. Can't believe how much it has gone downhill. Sad.

Good for Farmers Branch. My hairdresser lives there. I got my hair cut today and asked her about the meeting tonight. She is all for the city council clamping down, she said it is really getting bad in FB.

[glymers]

That neck of the woods used to be very quiet and peaceful. Grew up on the Running Duke Ranch off Marsh Ln north of Belt Line, Used to be 3 big red and white Ranch houses on that road. Running Duke Ranch, Mckinney, and the McKamey Ranch. All Gone now. I guess that's what they call progress. All that stands on the Running Duke Ranch now is houses and a Fire Dpt and the Water Tower. With the People in the House and Senate now, every peaceful village will turn into a gang members stomping ground.

[glymers]

That neck of the woods used to be very quiet and peaceful. Grew up on the Running Duke Ranch off Marsh Ln north of Belt Line, Used to be 3 big red and white Ranch houses on that road. Running Duke Ranch, Mckinney, and the McKamey Ranch. All Gone now. I guess that's what they call progress. All that stands on the Running Duke Ranch now is houses and a Fire Dpt and the Water Tower. With the People in the House and Senate now, every peaceful village will turn into a gang members stomping ground.

[manic4organic]

Eat it, LULAC.

[TheDon]

Council passes tough anti-immigration measures

There are certain words that you will never, or at the least, very, very rarely ever see together in a MSM story title.

anti-illegal immigration
embryonic stem cell
adult stem cell

I'm sure you can come up with others...

That being said, good for FARMERS BRANCH. They have more sense than the voters in Murtha's district.

[Trajan88]

"Lawyer" Domingo Garcia is a race-baiting turd... I can't wait to see all his LULAC-funded law suits kicked to the curb.

He and his high-tone Dallas council woman wife should get the heck out of America if they continue promoting rights for ILLEGALS.

I cannot wait for Plano to jump into this fray.

[Halls]

I think Farmer's Branch started something good and I think it will spread across Texas. Let's just hope any Federal laws will not overide the city laws!