Fremont, NE, Passes Rule Barring Hiring/Renting to Undocumented Immigrants

June 24, 2010

If the United States were a high school that all the states attended, then Arizona and Nebraska are competing to be the Drama Queen of the 2010 Immigration Dance. It’s like Mean Girls, except no one gets a piece of Lindsay Lohan’s crown and there’s no cheery “We’re all the same, so let’s treat each other with respect” message at the end.

All levity aside, the city of Fremont, NE, just passed a controversial ordinance this week prohibiting businesses and landlords from hiring or renting to people who are undocumented immigrants. Ordinance 5165 would apply to Fremont only, not the entire state.

Fremont is approaching the problem of undocumented immigrants through jobs and homes rather than law enforcement, as Arizona did. So far, there’s no mention of what penalties will be placed on the businesses and landlords (which are, presumably, owned by US citizens) that hire or rent to undocumented people.

Like supporters of the recent Arizona Senate Bill 1070, supporters of Ordinance 5165 say that it’s a lack of action from the federal government that drove them to approve a ban on the hiring or renting to undocumented immigrants.

Opponents say that the ordinance is unconstitutional because it violates the Supremacy Clause of the 14th amendment, which says that state courts may not overrule federal courts. There are also fears that the ordinance could fuel discrimination, as well as burden the city with expensive legal fees.

The Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has indicated that it will file a lawsuit. If its board approves, FOX News estimated that legal action could cost the city somewhere around $1 million a year to fight -- costs that would have to be covered by the city. Fremont officials say that they have plans in place to pay for the legal fees, such as cuts in city services and tax increases. I’m guessing the legal expenses will result in job cuts as well, which may end up hurting legal citizens of Fremont more than anything else.

What do you think of the latest immigration drama? Do you think this is an effective way of getting the federal government’s attention to focus on immigration reform?

Other reading:

ACLU to challenge “Arizona-like” law in Fremont

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Comments

Comments

Congratulations to the city and citizens of Fremont for their efforts to take back their town.  This movement is blessedly spreading all over the country after too many years of complacency and thinking that the government would eventually get around to enforcing federal law.  It is beyond me why a mandamus can't be filed against the federal officials who are sitting on their hands and watching our nation become a third-world country.  Kudos to Fremont.
I suppose if the Mexicans were tall, white, and blonde, there wouldn't be a problem, would there? The ordinance requires that everyone go to the police station to get a license to be able to rent an apartment or house, or even go to a nursing home. That's right - the police has the power to decide if you live in Fremont.  If that doesn't sound Stalinist, I don't know what does. If it's about jobs, here's the facts. The unemployment rate in Fremont is 4.5%. So, the illegals aren't taking jobs in town. How about the jobs in the packing plant? First, the ordinance will penalize employers of illegals - guess where the plant is located? Outside the city limits. Where do most illegals live in Fremont? Outside the city limits. How bad is the problem in Fremont? 25,000 population, approx. 10% hispanic (actually, Mexican-Americans that are dark skinned due to their native American heritage - yeah, Aztecs were native Americans). How many are truly illegals? No one knows. Worse, how many are actually Mexican-Americans that migrated from the southwest and California to the midwest? No one knows, either. How about crime caused by those illegals (that know if they commit crime they will be deported back to Mexico)? Below the national average...even with those gosh darn Hispanics. Let's face it, this is an ordinance motivated by racism and fear. It won't save jobs, it won't kick out illegals, it won't do anything but split the community. And that's exactly what the right-wing nut jobs want - just like Stalin and Hitler - blame the minorities for the financial turmoil caused by those nice white fellows over in Wall Street and places like AIG, Goldman Sachs, and Bear Stearns. Here's the best part. In Nebraska, a law was passed last year that dictates that all public hires need to be checked for legal status...but in the case of private entities, they are "encouraged" to use a "voluntary" program to check and see if potential new hires are legally in the US. Yup - that's right - the big employers, the ones that exploit the illegals, don't have to check anything! And that my friends is the truth of all this - illegals come to the US when there is a job at the other end of the trek - why aren't the patriotic right-wingers that support these Stalinistic laws go after the ones giving out the jobs? Guess they all golf together. You know that BP spill - it was them illegals, I tell ya.
It is about time that more people stand up for america and its people.  as far as this pathetic aclu which is suppose to stand for AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION. not ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT UNION needs to step out and start doing their job for american citizens and the unfair treatment we get due to higher taxes loss of jobs etc that comes from the hiring, medical care, crimes,etc that these illegals put on to the american people.  WHY should an american not have a job or proper health care etc because someone breaking the law and here illegally is causing it. ROUND THEM UP, SHIP THEM HOME U.S.A for the U.S.A
I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. All of us ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated, but this is not the case.   I know the proponents of this law say that the majority approves of this law, but the majority is not always right. Would women or non-whites have the vote if we listen to the majority of the day, would the non-whites have equal rights (and equal access to churches, housing, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, schools, colleges and yes water fountains) if we listen to the majority of the day? We all know the answer, a resounding, NO!   Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. In a time of domestic crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics and do what is right, not what is just popular with the majority. Some men comprehend discrimination by never have experiencing it in their lives, but the majority will only understand after it happens to them.
[[How bad is the problem in Fremont? 25,000 population, approx. 10% hispanic (actually, Mexican-Americans that are dark skinned due to their native American heritage - yeah, Aztecs were native Americans). How many are truly illegals? No one knows.]] Well, as soon as they try to start renting, they'll know! How is it "racist" to ask renters to fill out a form proving they live in the country legally?   It's disturbing that so many actually want the rest of the country to end up like Los Angeles and much of Southern California is today.  It's telling, however, that so few who feel this way actually LIVE in Southern California and the southwest and have seen what unchecked illegal immigration has done to our communities, our livelihoods, our neighborhoods, our property values.   But I shouldn't say such things.  Complaining this way is sure to be labeled "racist."
I suppose if the Mexicans were tall, white, and blonde, there wouldn't be a problem, would there? Yeah, actually there would be.  If instead of Mexicans intent on Reconquista it was Germans intent on Neue Lebensraum, it would be just the same.  They aren't here to assimilate, they aren't here to embrace American principles, and they're here illegally. Doesn't matter what kind of alien they are, if they're illegal, they need to go.  If they're legal, welcome! Brighton is full of those tall, white, blond illegal aliens. Twoof, you're trying to equate one of the major legitimate functions of govt. - that of controlling its borders (which fedgov here has abdicated and left to states) - with racism. Read up on Mexico's immigration laws if you'd like a comparison.
“All Men are created equal”! The founders had it right, when attempting to form a perfect union and they also knew that they were not there yet but knew we one day would get there.  Lincoln moved us forward as did JFK and LBJ.  This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds.  It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.   It is my contention that this AZ law is not constitutional and will fail when challenged (unless, of course, they keep adding more amendments), pretty funny for this so called perfect law, that many internet bloggers claim it was copied “Word for Word” from the Federal law, which I frankly do not believe, if it was then no amendments would have been made, right?, of course, keep those lies coming.   As for the undocumented workers, as was attributed to Ronald Reagan “It’s the Economy, Stupid”. When the economy is good we say let’s all celebrate “Cinco de Mayo, my brothers” but when the economy is down “it’s all your fault, you damn immigrant”.  This too will pass, the real problem is the narcos, arms and people smugglers and that’s what the focus should be on.   Don’t you find it funny that no one ever voted for Brewer for Governor, she is trying to get elected on the back of undocumented workers, it’s all about politics, do not be fooled. In the last few months Busy Brewer has passed S.B. 1070, no permit conceal weapons law, the famous Birthers law, banning Ethnic studies law, (could she be behind the Mural in Prescott, Arizona) and if history is a lesson and if she can read, she should look up Arizona’s House Bill 2779 from two years ago (which failed when legally challenged) and the craziest one the boycott of Martin Luther King Day, not wanting another holiday, how crazy is that.  I believe there is an undercurrent to their enactment of new laws, they real love following a distinct pattern. Poor Brewer, in an attempt to gain sympathy, in an interview she first said her father had died in Germany fighting the Nazi in World War II (which ended 1945) and we find out her father was never in Germany and died in California in 1955 (watch her play the victim card, again) and then she went to Washington and came back empty as always, poor dear.
All I know is that i am a fremont resident trying to raise my son up right and it is very difficult with this hate going around about the immigrants. Our ancestors were in this position at one time and I don't understand how the white community here has lost track of that. I cannot afford higher taxes to pay for their racist mistakes.