Law360: 5th Circ. Strikes Dallas Suburb’s Immigrant Rental Law

July 23, 2013 – Law360 reports that an en banc Fifth Circuit court permanently enjoyed a law passed by the City of Farmers Branch, Texas, that intended to prevent those living in the country illegally from renting property.  

The article added that the five-judge majority opinion by Judge Stephen Higginson affirmed a lower court ruling and said Farmers Branch went too far by imposing criminal penalties on landlords and tenants and by allowing state courts to review determinations of immigration status.  

“We are pleased with this outcome and appreciate the service of the court,” said William A. Brewer III of the Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront), a pro bono counterpart of the Brewer firm. “Farmers Branch thrust itself into the national debate over immigration – and this outcome was critically important for those who believe immigration reform must take place at the federal level.”  

The case is Villas at Parkside Partners et al. V. The City of Farmers Branch, Texas. 

Read more here. 

Dallas Morning News: Farmers Branch Rent Law Rejected

March 22, 2012 – The Dallas Morning News reports that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling that a Farmers Branch ordinance banning illegal immigrants from renting in the city was unconstitutional.  

The decision on March 21, 2012, found that the power to control immigration rests with the federal government and not states or cities.  

The appeals court judges found the ordinance was more than a housing regulation and was “designed to burden aliens, both documented and undocumented, in Farmers Branch. As such, the ordinance serves no legitimate city interest.” 

Attorney William Brewer, who challenged the ordinance, said the opinion made it “clear that this ordinance was intended to discriminate against Hispanics.”  

Brewer, a partner at Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront), stated that “The decision makes clear what we have contended all along – that the ordinance is unconstitutional, and that the city is attempting to interfere in an area that is clearly the province of the federal government.”  

Read more here. 

AP: Texas Attorney Fights Illegal Immigration Rules

February 8, 2009 – The Associated Press reports on attorney William “Bill” Brewer’s successful work representing landlords in Farmers Branch, Texas, fighting the city’s efforts to prevent illegal immigrants from renting apartments and houses.  

In November 2006, the Farmers Branch City Council passed a city ordinance requiring landlords to check the immigration status of renters.  

“What they’re doing in Farmers Branch is highly illegal, inappropriate and unconstitutional,” said Brewer. 

The article described Brewer’s dedication to civil rights work and advocacy on behalf of the Latino population. 

“Generating an antagonism between Anglos and Hispanics is not the way to go,” Brewer said. “This is a state, if it’s not already, will soon be, a state where the majority of the people in our community ... are of Hispanic origin.”   

Brewer also described the advocacy of Bickel & Brewer Storefront (now Brewer Storefront), offering pro-bono services.  

“The goal here was to do something a little different and it was – and is – to bring the resources that are available to our corporate clients to community impact cases.” 

Speaking further on the growth of the Hispanic population in Texas, Brewer said that “The most important time in the history of Texas is right now in how we handle this shifting demographic. And it is an opportunity, it’s not bad, it’s all good.”  

Read more here.