August 28, 2006

Farmers Branch: will Hector Flores violate fair housing laws?

Farmers Branch is a Dallas suburb that's been considering enacting a Hazelton-style ordinance designed to reduce the number of illegal immigrants moving to their city.

Needless to say, various local groups including "Hector Flores, immediate past national president of the League of Latin American Citizens" are playing not just the race card but going further, saying that "the suggestions are an attempt to rid the city of all Hispanics".

Ironically but not unexpectedly, what they propose to counter the ordinance certainly seems racist. Let's see if the title of the article by Stephanie Sandoval gives us a clue: "Group to encourage Hispanics to buy homes in Farmers Branch". Is that racist? Well, let's see: would a headline entitled "Group to encourage Whites to buy homes in Maywood" ever fly?

Let's look at the article and see if the proposal is racist:

One City Council member's idea to limit illegal immigrants in Farmers Branch has prompted a plan by opponents to promote and sell homes in the city to Hispanics - including illegal immigrants.

A group of Hispanic and civil rights groups Monday announced Compre Farmers Branch, a consortium of real estate agents, lending institutions and others aimed at helping Hispanics buy homes in Farmers Branch.

They're hoping Hispanics will buy all 157 homes they say are on the market in that city - including the home of City Council member Tim O'Hare...

I wonder, what would happen if a non-Hispanic wanted in on the deal? What an interesting opportunity for a local investigative reporter with a hidden camera, provided they are very very careful about following all relevant laws.

Flores was featured here before in "LULAC criticizes Mexico's pro-illegal immigration propaganda". Most people who are unfamiliar with that organization might think they were complaining about Mexico spreading their propaganda in the U.S. In fact, here's a quote from Mr. Flores:

"The Mexican government should have worked to provide this opportunity to a Hispanic business. LULAC is always trying to find ways to open the doors for Hispanics; the Mexican government should do the same."

I kid you not.

Posted to Immigration at August 28, 2006 10:39 PM

Comments

Everyone is pushing illegal immigration to prop up inflated home prices. Increased value equals higher profits for the real estate industry and increased property tax revenues, and what politician would ever reduce revenue?

But middle class people have figured out big prices don't help them much, unless they are moving out of the area. The next house upwards is also out of sight, and the taxes are much higher, so people stay put. IMO brokers sell homes to slum landlords who move in illegals because then all the neighbors are forced to sell, generating more revenue all around.

Posted by: Pat at August 29, 2006 08:01 AM