Neb. town may halt immigration law to save money

Source: Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — Faced with expensive legal challenges, officials in the eastern Nebraska town of Fremont are considering suspending a voter-approved ban on hiring or renting property to illegal immigrants until the lawsuits are resolved.

The City Council narrowly rejected the ban in 2008, prompting supporters to gather enough signatures for the ballot measure. The ordinance, which was approved by voters last month, has divided the community. Supporters say it was necessary to make up for what they see as lax federal law enforcement and opponents argue that it could fuel discrimination.

But the council's president, Scott Getzschman, insisted the elected body was concerned about money, not about any lack of support for the ordinance. The City Council is scheduled to vote on suspending the ban on Tuesday night, a day before the city goes to court over the measure.

The city faces lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund. City officials have estimated that Fremont's costs of implementing the ordinance — including legal fees, employee overtime and improved computer software — would average $1 million a year...

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that doesn't want to pay taxes to support the very services they demand after listening to Glen Beck.

As a resident of that area and a lifelong Democrat, I resent your painting all of us with such a broad brush.

People in this "loser" CITY (a small city, but a city nonetheless) are the ones growing and packaging food to feed your fat ass. The only thing lower than a loser is someone who depends on losers to feed them.

What kinds of jobs are they doing - are they in the food industry? Is it more the recession hurting everyone and less anger at the "illegal" residents? Or is the anger fueled by right wing radio/candidates? I live in a California town where approximately 1/4 of the people in my town do not have legal status. There are jobs here and little anger. My town is solidly democratic as is the county. We are a farming/travel destination and supply many vegetables and flowers to the rest of the country so we are not unlike the town at issue here. We are proud to supply these items and proud of all the workers who help to do so.

:cry:

be subject to a tax increase to pay for it. I mean if they were serious they should pay for it, right?

If the people of every city and town were being attacked by big-money organizations opposing something that had been passed by the voters, we'd all be paying more money than we earn.

Should the people of California pay more taxes because right-wing groups pumped megabucks into their state to stop gay marriage?

The solution to this, and to the problem in Arizona, is simple: The Feds need to get off their asses and do their jobs, for a change. Then communities wouldn't become desperate enough to feel the need for such laws.