DALLAS -- A judge blocked the controversial Farmers Branch anti-illegal immigrant ordinance from taking effect tomorrow.
State District Judge Bruce Priddy granted the 14-day stay asked by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union. He set a Jan. 22 hearing in Dallas on whether the temporary restraining order should be made a temporary injunction pending a full trial.
The ordinance would require apartment landlords to verify the citizenship or immigration status of their tenants.
MALDEF and the ACLU filed a suit late last month alleging the ordinance is so poorly drafted that it could prevent legal immigrants and citizens from renting and doesn't provide clear guidance for apartment managers and owners.
The City Council approved the ordinance late last year. On Monday, the City Council voted to put the ordinance on the ballot May 12 to allow voters a chance to approve it or get rid of it. But it said it would allow the ordinance to take effect tomorrow, as scheduled.
Farmers Branch faces several lawsuits challenging its ordinance.
