Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


US Town Approves Tougher Enforcement of Immigration Laws

   VOA News 22 June 2010
   Dodge  County  Election  Commisioner  Fred  Mytty holds the unofficial
   results  to  a  special election held Monday June 21, 2010 in Fremont,
   Nebraska.

Photo: AP

   Dodge  County Election Commisioner Fred Mytty holds unofficial results
   to special election held Monday 21 Jun 2010 in Fremont, Nebraska.

   Voters  in  a small town in the midwestern U.S. state of Nebraska have
   approved  tough  enforcement  measures  on  the  hiring and renting of
   property to illegal immigrants.

   Nearly  60  percent  of  voters  in  the  town of Fremont endorsed the
   ordinance in a referendum Monday.

   The  ordinance would require businesses to verify employees have legal
   immigration status to work. It would also require potential renters to
   apply for a city license that would be denied to illegal immigrants.

   Supporters  say  federal officials do not properly enforce immigration
   laws.  Opponents say the Nebraska town's law could fuel discrimination
   --  echoing concerns about a recent Arizona law requiring local police
   to check a person's immigration status if they suspect he or she is in
   the country illegally.

   The Obama administration has said it will challenge the Arizona law.

   Under  the  Arizona  law, police would be required to arrest those who
   are unable to provide documents proving their legal status.

   The  American  Civil Liberties Union has promised to file a lawsuit to
   block enforcement of the Nebraska ordinance.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

.