LINCOLN- The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska recently filed a lawsuit to get federal authorities to comply with a public records request from 2021 seeking information about immigrant-related housing ordinances. They claim that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have broken federal law by not responding to the old request. The ACLU requested records on housing ordinances targeting immigrants in Fremont and Scribner, banning unauthorized immigrants from renting, requiring prospective renters to answer a question regarding citizenship status, and forcing law enforcement to investigate.

Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg acknowledged recently that these ordinances are unenforceable, noting that the community should embrace its immigrant population. Despite this sentiment, the ordinances are still in place in both towns. While the ACLU doesn't have evidence of negative impact because of these ordinances, concern is rising due to Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump's remarks stating that there would be mass deportations of undocumented immigrants upon his election.

The ACLU's legal fellow, Dylan Severino, stated the group hasn't received any communication regarding their records request since December 2021. “Federal law includes clear guidelines on processing public records requests and there is no excuse for years of inaction on any request — let alone one that involves something as important as fair access to housing,” said Severino. The ACLU of Nebraska has had multiple legal battles with local governments in the past decade and a half, and this lawsuit is their most recent feud.

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