FARMERS BRANCH, Texas (AP) - Leaders of this Dallas suburb unanimously approved tough new anti- immigration measures Monday evening, including one that makes English the official language. In a series of unanimous votes, the city council also approved fines for landlords and businesses that deal with illegal immigrants, and decided to allow local authorities to screen suspects in police custody to see whether they are in the country illegally.
The votes were made in a room in City Hall packed with people who clapped as the votes were tallied in favor of the measures. In a parking lot outside, hundreds of protesters against the rules hoisted U.S. flags and sang the Pledge of Allegiance in English before the votes were taken.
The ordinance has troubled many people in Texas, where many Latino families can trace their roots to the era before statehood.
