Fremont kills illegal immigrant ordinance

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FREMONT — Fremont’s City Council voted to kill a proposal targeting illegal immigration at the end of a hearing that drew more than 1,000 people.

Opponents and supporters filled the Fremont High School auditorium and took turns addressing the council on a plan that would have outlawed renting housing to or hiring illegal immigrants in this city of 25,000.

After hours of public testimony, the final words on the debate over Fremont’s proposed illegal alien ordinance belonged to Mayor “Skip” Edwards.

“I vote no.”

Edwards broke a 4-4 tie on the ordinance, that would have made it illegal in the city of Fremont to harbor, rent to or hire illegal aliens.

Moments earlier, council members voted 7-1 — council member Bob Warner voted against — to suspend rules and have the final reading of the ordinance.

Voting for the ordinance were Charlie Janssen, Scott Schaller, Mary Marsh and Warner. Voting against the ordinance were John Anderson, Gary Bolton, Scott Getzschman and Jon Gilfry.

“This weighs very heavily on me,” Edwards said.

The mayor said he consulted with Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning and other attorneys in considering the ordinance.

“We all agreed control is a federal issue,” he said.

“I’m bound by the law, too,” Edwards added.

Cheers went up throughout the auditorium as the meeting was adjourned.

His decision capped off a night of testimony that took more than 3 hours.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Don Edwards cast the deciding vote to kill the ordinance on a 5-4 vote.

The issue has stirred strong opinions on both sides of the issue. Tuesday’s hearing drew comment from residents of Fremont, Omaha, Lincoln and other nearby areas.

The proposal was the first of its kind for a Nebraska city.

Tuesday’s hearing was the second of three scheduled, with the final one and vote on the measure set for Aug. 26.

City officials had expected to fill only the lower portion of the 1,250-seat auditorium, but had to make adjustments based on the crowd that showed up. The council voted to open up balcony seating as well which brought in about 100 people.

Fremont resident Shirley Ewing, who was part of the last group to be seated, said she had been waiting outside for an hour. She said there were as many as 200 waiting, though many left before the seats opened up.

Police used metal detectors and searched purses and bags as people entered the building.

At least three dozen law enforcement officials were on hand from the Fremont Police, Dodge County Sheriffs Department and Nebraska State Patrol. Officers manned doorways and those inside the auditorium lined the side aisles about 20 feet apart.

The issue has stirred strong opinions on both sides of the issue. Tuesday’s hearing drew comment from Fremont residents and many other from Omaha, Lincoln and other nearby areas.

The proposal is the first of its kind for a Nebraska city.

Fremont is one of a handful of Nebraska cities that have seen marked demographic changes primarily because of mostly Hispanic work forces at meatpacking plants.

Hazleton, Pa., Escondido, Calif. and Riverside, N.J. are among several U.S. cities that have attempted similar measures aimed at slowing or halting illegal immigration. Those cities’ actions have attracted legal challenges primarily because the federal government has maintained it has the only authority on the matter.

Fremont’s proposal was revised last week to include hiring provisions. It would require all businesses in city limits to use a federal Internet-based employment verification system. Businesses that don’t comply could lose their licenses, permits or contracts with the city.

Large employers in the area, including Fremont Beef and Hormel, are already using the system, though both plants are outside city limits and would not be subject to the new rules.

The ordinance also would prohibit renting to and harboring illegal immigrants. Renters would have to secure $5 occupancy licenses to prove their legal status. Renters without licenses or landlords renting to people without occupancy licenses would each be subject to a fine of $100.

Supporters of the proposal expressed their frustration over lax enforcement by federal officials. They pointed to medical costs, job losses and increased crime among the impact illegal immigrants have had.

Opponents, meanwhile, voiced concern about discrimination and worries the proposal could cause more problems than bring solutions.

Fremont resident Marv Eden encouraged the council to move ahead with its plan, saying if more cities enact such laws it could grab federal officials’ attention.

“Maybe Congress would wake up,” he said.

Opponent Sylvia Sanchez asked the council to proceed in a way that would not divide the community, spark hatred and destroy families.

“I’m here to ask you all to look into your hearts and ask yourself if this is truly the right thing to do,” she said.

Most in the crowd observed the rules of order, which banned applause and booing. One man was voluntarily removed by police after shouting “Bring it on.” He was responding to comments from another man who urged the council to listen to the attorney general.

Lee Entreprises and the Associated Press contributed to this report.