Farmers Branch Mayor Opposes Ordinance

Turns out the Mayor of Farmers Branch, Texas, is opposed to the anti-immigrant measure that his town adopted in November, placing the town at the forefront of anti-immigrant local efforts. Much of his opposition may be based on financial considerations, as Annabelle Garay of the Associated Press reports:

The mayor of the first city in Texas to forbid landlords from renting apartments to illegal immigrants is urging voters to strike down the ordinance.

It’s the first time Mayor Bob Phelps has taken a public position against the measure, which was adopted in November and resulted in lawsuits and outcry from civil rights groups, residents, property owners and businesses.

Voters in this Dallas suburb on Saturday will become the first in the country to decide whether to repeal or approve a city ordinance banning apartment rentals to most illegal immigrants.

Phelps, former Mayor David Blair and former Cty Manager Richard Escalante all signed a letter Tuesday opposing the measure.

“The City should not waste millions of taxpayer’s dollars to defend an ineffective ordinance that is likely never to become law,” said the letter, which was an advertisement mailed by a group opposing the ordinance. “There are better ways to handle this situation and better ways to invest this money in our community.” Click here for the rest of the story.

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