FARMERS BRANCH, Texas (AP) _ Farmers Branch will pay nearly half a million dollars to those who challenged an attempt to oust illegal immigrants from the Dallas suburb.
The Farmers Branch City Council agreed to pay $250,000 to apartment operators and $220,000 to advocacy organizations who sued.
The Dallas Morning News reports the dispute involves an ordinance requiring landlords to verify all tenants were U.S. citizens or legal immigrants.
A federal judge ordered Farmers Branch to pay legal fees of challengers after the city rule was found to be unconstitutional. The judge also asked all parties to mediate a settlement on costs.
The settlement ends legal matters involving that version of the rental ordinance. Farmers Branch still faces additional lawsuits over a new version of the rental ban.
Mayor Tim O’Hare didn’t immediately return a call for comment.