FARMERS BRANCH, Texas -- Farmers Branch voters will get the chance to decide whether the city should keep a new rule requiring apartment landlords to verify the citizenship or immigration status of their tenants.
During a meeting tonight, the City Council voted to put a rental ordinance they approved late last year on the ballot May 12. But in the meantime, the council plans to let the new rule take effect Friday.
In November, the City Council unanimously approved requiring property managers or owners verify the immigration or citizenship status of apartment renters. Property managers or owners who break the rule face a misdemeanor charge punishable by a fine of up to $500.
Opponents of the ordinances submitted a petition with more than 1,000 signatures in hopes of forcing a vote on the measures.
Farmers Branch also faces several lawsuits challenging its ordinance. A hearing in one those is set for Friday, the same day the ordinance takes effect.
City leaders have said they expected legal challenges.
