DALLAS -- A federal judge has blocked the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch from enforcing a voter-approved law that prohibits landlords from renting apartments to illegal immigrants.

The judge has issued a preliminary injunction until a legal challenge to the law is resolved.

The lead attorney for three apartment complexes suing Farmers Branch says they're preparing for a trial. They plan to seek millions in damages for the business they've lost since the ordinance was approved in May.

An attorney for Farmers Branch says the city has the right to inquire of apartment renters whether they're legally entitled to live in the United States.

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