Texas town approves new anti-illegal immigration rental rule

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas - City leaders in a Dallas suburb continue to try to block rentals to illegal immigrants.

The new rule in Farmers Branch, Texas, requires a city license to rent and expands the ban on apartment rentals to illegals to include homes. A judge has already blocked enforcement of the original apartment rental regulation and the court case is pending.

The Farmers Branch City Council voted unanimously last night in favor of the new ordinance but it won't take effect right away. Nearly 200 people filled City Hall, taking sides on the issue.

Many local governments have considered similar laws but Farmers Branch gained extra attention as the first community in Texas to do so. Many Latino families in the town trace their roots to the era before statehood.