Lessons From Farmers Branch

By Frank Knaack, ACLU of Texas Legal Advocacy Coordinator As Fremont, Nebraska considers whether to suspend or implement a discriminatory and unconstitutional government background check requirement for anyone seeking housing or employment, it would be wise to remember Farmers Branch, Texas. Farmers Branch has, on three occasions, attempted to implement a similar law. The result:

• The laws were found by the courts to violate the US Constitution, and were thus rejected.
• These unsuccessful attempts cost Farmers Branch taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees.

We hope that the Fremont City Council determines that unconstitutional and wasteful laws are not in the best interest of Fremont’s residents. We also hope that Farmers Branch recognizes what happens after three strikes.