Opponents of a new ordinance meant to stop illegal immigrants from renting apartments in this Dallas suburb have begun a petition drive to force a vote on the issue.
The Farmers Branch City Council in November became the first in Texas to pass tough anti-illegal immigration measures, including a requirement that landlords show proof of citizenship or residency for every prospective tenant.
Area Hispanic leaders now want to put the issue on the ballot by gathering the signatures of at least 5 percent of eligible voters registered during the last municipal election.
"The strategy here is to be able to challenge this ordinance in a legal manner, to let the voters decide if this makes sense for the city," said Michael A. Gonzales, a petition organizer. "There are many people in the city that realize this is affecting them whether they are Hispanic or not."
The city secretary said petitioners would need to collect at least 726 signatures, or 5 percent of the 14,533 voters registered for the May election. The group's deadline to file signatures to the city is Dec. 11.
If the drive collects enough valid signatures, the council could reconsider the ordinance. If the council chooses to keep it, the issue could be placed on a ballot.
Supporters of the petition include the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Women's Real Estate Council. Volunteers planned to go door-to-door and set up in front of shopping centers to collect signatures beginning Saturday.
"What we want is for the people to vote," said Elizabeth Villafranca, whose family owns a Mexican restaurant in Farmers Branch. "It doesn't matter if you are for or against it. This is so important."
City Council member Tim O'Hare said the petition process is a good check on the City Council, but he's confident voters would back the ordinance if it came to a vote.
"I don't think it will be close," he said.
The ordinance is set to take effect Jan. 12, but it could be challenged by several groups that have threatened to file lawsuits. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is looking at potential legal challenges, and the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas plans to play a role if a lawsuit proceeds.
Gonzales, a former chairman of the Hispanic Task Force for the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, said the ordinance restricting landlords from leasing to illegal immigrants would place an unfair burden on the apartment industry.
Residents believe the council operated in a vacuum and think council members aren't representative of the city's makeup, Villafranca said.
Mayor Bob Phelps said residents have the right to gather signatures.
"If they do that and the city secretary certifies everything, then I certainly have no problem with it," he said.
The petition does not address two other measures unanimously passed by the City Council. Those were a resolution making English the city's official language, and approval of a program enabling the Police Department check the residency status of people arrested for a crime.
The Farmers Branch City Council in November became the first in Texas to pass tough anti-illegal immigration measures, including a requirement that landlords show proof of citizenship or residency for every prospective tenant.
Area Hispanic leaders now want to put the issue on the ballot by gathering the signatures of at least 5 percent of eligible voters registered during the last municipal election.
"The strategy here is to be able to challenge this ordinance in a legal manner, to let the voters decide if this makes sense for the city," said Michael A. Gonzales, a petition organizer. "There are many people in the city that realize this is affecting them whether they are Hispanic or not."
The city secretary said petitioners would need to collect at least 726 signatures, or 5 percent of the 14,533 voters registered for the May election. The group's deadline to file signatures to the city is Dec. 11.
If the drive collects enough valid signatures, the council could reconsider the ordinance. If the council chooses to keep it, the issue could be placed on a ballot.
Supporters of the petition include the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Women's Real Estate Council. Volunteers planned to go door-to-door and set up in front of shopping centers to collect signatures beginning Saturday.
"What we want is for the people to vote," said Elizabeth Villafranca, whose family owns a Mexican restaurant in Farmers Branch. "It doesn't matter if you are for or against it. This is so important."
City Council member Tim O'Hare said the petition process is a good check on the City Council, but he's confident voters would back the ordinance if it came to a vote.
"I don't think it will be close," he said.
The ordinance is set to take effect Jan. 12, but it could be challenged by several groups that have threatened to file lawsuits. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is looking at potential legal challenges, and the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas plans to play a role if a lawsuit proceeds.
Gonzales, a former chairman of the Hispanic Task Force for the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, said the ordinance restricting landlords from leasing to illegal immigrants would place an unfair burden on the apartment industry.
Residents believe the council operated in a vacuum and think council members aren't representative of the city's makeup, Villafranca said.
Mayor Bob Phelps said residents have the right to gather signatures.
"If they do that and the city secretary certifies everything, then I certainly have no problem with it," he said.
The petition does not address two other measures unanimously passed by the City Council. Those were a resolution making English the city's official language, and approval of a program enabling the Police Department check the residency status of people arrested for a crime.
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