Town ordinance regarding immigration status

[atomizer]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Lets just say USA

I would like opinions on the Fremont Nebrasca town ordinance regarding illegal aliens.
I realize this is a touchy subject, so please be civil if you decide to comment
on the partial article. I left out the bias opinions of the author.

The small town of Fremont, Neb. -- barely 7 miles wide and with a population of 25,000 -- has rarely garnered national attention. But today this Midwestern community could set a national precedent when residents vote on a controversial ordinance designed to ferret out illegal immigrants.

The ordinance aims to zero in on illegal aliens in the workplace and at their temporary homes. Under the ordinance, renters would have to apply for a license, which includes a police check of the applicant's legal status. Undocumented aliens would be turned over to the federal government.
Additionally, businesses would be required to check the legal status of their workers through the federal E-verify database.
While the major employers in the area are meatpacking plants, few are actually located within the Fremont city limits.
The move in Nebraska comes at a time when Washington lawmakers are embroiled in a heated debate over how to proceed with immigration reform . Tensions are high after Arizona enacted a much publicized law that allows police to question people about their immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion."
Related

By HUMA KHAN
June 21, 2010

Immigration Debate Heats Up in Fremont, Nebraska - ABC News

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Proserpina]

Define "undocumented", if only for the sake of this discussion.

Does that include an alien who has no current legal status, but who perhaps has a pending application with USCIS?

 

[atomizer]

Define "undocumented", if only for the sake of this discussion.

Does that include an alien who has no current legal status, but who perhaps has a pending application with USCIS?

I would define undocumented as someone who has entered this country illegally or legally and has not complied with immigration law. I would think that someone that has an application pending has some documentation and is within compliance. I don't know the specifics of the town ordinance, but I would say it is directed at those that have entered the country illegally and have no intention of applying for immigration or becoming citizens, unless it is offered and they have to take no action to bring it about.

 

[Some Random Guy]

"Undocumented aliens" does not need such as formal definition. Simply use "people from outisde of the country without documents".

By turning their information over to the feds, the city is merely providing data that a person has not met their requirements. It is up to the feds to determine if they want to do anything with the data, to verify the actual immigration status of the individuals and to decide whether to proceed with any prosecution or deportation. So the city is not technically enforcing the immigration laws.

 

[atomizer]

In principal, I agree with the ordinance. However, I have concerns that enforcement procedures will somehow evolve into landlords having to get a license to rent for a fee. Once government, whether city, state, or federal gets a grip on an industry, they tend to expand their control. Maybe if the Fed's did their job, towns would not have to take matters into their own hands.

 

[Some Random Guy]

However, I have concerns that enforcement procedures will somehow evolve into landlords having to get a license to rent for a fee.

Actually, this law is written to put the burden of document checking on the police. This means that they are not requiring the landlord to check their immigration documents. And the cost of the license ($5) is to be laid by the rentors.

 

[atomizer]

My point is, that is the case today. But, what about tomorrow? I can see where landlords will be required in the next year or so to purchase a pay a fee in order to be able to rent. The justification will be the added cost of enforcing the ordinance put forward today.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

It seems that by issuing a renter's license, the municipality is defining basic housing a s privilege, not a right.

Sorry, but I don't like this ordinance.

 

[atomizer]

It seems that by issuing a renter's license, the municipality is defining basic housing a s privilege, not a right.

Sorry, but I don't like this ordinance.

Interesting take, but my understanding is that we have inalienable rights "God given rights".

The Constitution of the United States recognizes these basic rights for it citizens and humans in general. I don't think housing is one of them.


Since these people are non citizens, they do not have the same rights as citizens of this country. Every country has laws regarding entry. Mexico for instance, has some of the strictest laws anywhere regarding immigration.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

The Constitution of the United States recognizes these basic rights for it citizens and humans in general. I don't think housing is one of them.

Yet the founding fathers saw fit to include houses, persons, papers and effects in the 4th amendment., although it's not related to the issue at hand.