AUSTIN---The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) today expresses its concern and disappointment over the City of Farmers Branch's vote last night approving three anti-immigrant proposals, including a housing ordinance and an English-only resolution.
"The new Farmers Branch housing ordinance will punish children for the choices of their parents and tear families apart," stated Rebecca Bernhardt, Immigration, Border and National Security Policy Director of the ACLU of Texas. "This ordinance puts landlords between a rock and a hard place, as unpaid immigration agents of the City of Farmers Branch."
The ACLU is working with attorneys from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) and community leaders from League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) on potential litigation challenging the housing ordinance.
Lisa Graybill, Legal Director for the ACLU of Texas, stated, "When cities take on immigration enforcement duties without working with the Federal government, they are breaking the law."
