Texas town softens immigration law

FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS —  The City Council of this Dallas suburb agreed Monday night to revise an ordinance requiring apartment landlords to check the immigration status of their tenants.

The revision exempts minors and people 62 and older from having to prove their immigration status or citizenship. Also, families made up of citizens and undocumented members will be allowed to renew apartment leases if they meet three conditions: They are already tenants, the head of household or spouse is living legally in the U.S. and the family includes only the spouse, their minor children or parents.

The revised rule was approved unanimously after the council heard from dozens of speakers.

It will go to voters May 12 because opponents of the original ordinance submitted a petition forcing a vote.

The original proposal, which outraged activists who called it anti-immigrant posturing, was unanimously approved in November.

Since then, Farmers Branch has been sued by civil rights groups, residents, property owners and businesspeople challenging the rental ordinance.

Supporters of the ordinance say the changes try to address the lawsuits the city faces and incorporate rules from federal housing laws at the local level.