Associated Press
Aug. 29, 2008, 6:29PM

DALLAS — A federal judge has issued a final judgment banning enforcement of a Dallas suburb’s rule prohibiting apartment rentals to illegal immigrants.

The decision Friday by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay resolves the remaining legal issues.

Lindsay has previously prevented the city from enforcing an ordinance that would have required landlords to verify tenants’ legal status. That ban from enforcing the ordinance is now permanent.

The judge’s decision triggers the countdown for another immigration-related rule Farmers Branch officials approved. It was set to take effect 15 days after a ruling on the ordinance that was litigated.

The rule would require prospective tenants to get a rental license from the city. Farmers Branch would ask the federal government for the applicant’s legal status before approving the rental license.

Around the country, some 100 cities or counties have considered, passed or rejected similar laws, but Farmers Branch was the first in Texas, according to the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Source: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5974311.html