Debate Heats up Over Fremont Ordinance
"Dramatic growth in Fremont's foreign-born population and citizen concerns about illegal immigration's costs culminated in July 2008 with the City Council narrowly defeating a proposed ordinance aimed at clearing Fremont of undocumented workers. Now that ordinance is back before voters June 21," says the Omaha World Herald. "The same day the Nebraska court ordered the Fremont election to proceed, Arizona's governor signed a law compelling local police to ask for proof of residency from people they suspect of being illegal immigrants, stepping up the debate over immigration nationally. Former Fremont City Councilman Charlie Janssen, who voted for the ordinance, now is a state senator who has said he plans to offer similar legislation for Nebraska."