What Farmers Branch Needs is a Pizza Patron

The citizens of the city of Farmers Branch, Texas have become further divided on the issue of illegal immigration. Flyers and yard signs are doing most of the talking as the May 12 election on the proposed illegal immigration reform draws closer.

There was a lull surrounding Ordinance 2903, which bans illegal immigrants from renting apartments in Farmers Branch, until early March when discussion was flared again by a rumor that Carnival Foods, a Latino-themed food store, was looking to occupy a vacant grocery store in the city’s largest shopping center. Representatives from Minyard Food Stores, owner of Carnival Foods, have denied that the company made any offer to buy the empty lot. Concerned citizens of Farmers Branch, however, were quick to react to the news by posting flyers door-to-door, encouraging their neighbors to contact Minyard Foods and request a Minyard Food Store be placed in the shopping center rather than Carnival Foods.

Recently, yard signs from supporters of Ordinance 2903 and its opposition have popped up with the bluebonnets. Signs provided by the group Support Farmers Branch encouraging citizens to vote for Ordinance 2903 “and uphold the law and stand up for Farmers Branch” have been placed next to election signs of City Council candidates who support it. Soon after, signs provided by Let Voters Decide appeared encouraging voters to vote ‘No’ stating, “We can’t afford it.” Not surprisingly, there have been reports from both sides that the signs are being stolen.

The Dallas Morning News reported the U.S. Justice Department is looking into claims that Farmers Branch citizens were harassed by 2309 supporters. Members of the door-to-door campaign have denied the allegations that Hispanic citizens were harassed and asked to show proof of citizenship. A state judge has also granted a restraining order to members of L.U.L.A.C. to protect them from harassment by any member of the group Support Farmers Branch.

With all of the drama surrounding the May 12th elections, some very basic questions have been overlooked regarding enforcing the proposed ordinance. First, if the ordinance is passed, will it hold up in an appellate court? It is highly doubtful, considering what the bill addresses falls outside of the city’s jurisdiction. Second, while making it illegal for apartment owners to rent to illegal immigrants may be a creative solution to the supposed issue of illegal immigration in Farmers Branch, a blind eye has been turned to the implications of allowing a city to uphold a federal law. Imagine every city individually taking on immigration enforcement in the manner Farmers Branch has proposed: who would watch over the processes to ensure individual rights are not being violated? As much as the Farmers Branch City Council would like to set a standard for dealing with illegal immigration by passing this ordinance, a standard needs to be set to ensure rights are not being violated while the accused are being held in local jails.