Case: Vazquez v. City of Farmers Branch

3:06-cv-02376 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: Dec. 26, 2006

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On December 26, 2006 the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas (ACLU), along with the ACLU's National Immigrants' Rights Project, filed a civil rights suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against the City of Farmers Branch, challenging the City's recently adopted Ordinance 2892. The Ordinance required landlords to verify the U.S. Citizenship or "eligible immigration status" of prospec…

On December 26, 2006 the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas (ACLU), along with the ACLU's National Immigrants' Rights Project, filed a civil rights suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against the City of Farmers Branch, challenging the City's recently adopted Ordinance 2892. The Ordinance required landlords to verify the U.S. Citizenship or "eligible immigration status" of prospective tenants prior to renting them apartments.

This case is one of four lawsuits filed against Farmers Branch in response to its anti-immigrant housing law. See Barrietos v. City of Farmers Branch, Villas at Parkside Partners v. City of Farmers Branch and Ramos v. City of Farmers Branch.

Plaintiffs filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief. On January 11, 2007, the District Court (Judge Sam Lindsay) temporarily denied plaintiffs' motion as moot in light of a TRO being issued against the City in the state court case  Ramos v. City of Farmers Branch.

On January 18, 2007, the parties entered into a stipulation wherein defendant's counsel agreed to review and reconsider Ordinance 2892. Pending that review, defendant agreed not to attempt to enforce Ordinance 2892 or any like ordinance without first giving plaintiffs notice to allow them to renew their motion for a TRO.

Plaintiffs filed their status report on January 24, 2007, advising the District Court that defendant had repealed Ordinance 2892 but enacted Ordinance 2903, which imposed similar stringent citizenship requirements. The parties were to meet and confer on January 25, 2007 to discuss the new Ordinance and thereafter advise the District Court of further planned action.

On March 22, 2007, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint against the City challenging the new ordinance.

On April 18, 2007, this case was consolidated with lead case Villas at Parkside Partners v. City of Farmers Branch and Barrietos v. City of Farmers Branch. See Villas at Parkside Partners v. City of Farmers Branch for all subsequent developments.

Summary Authors

Christopher Schad (6/6/2012)

Related Cases

Ramos v. City of Farmers Branch, Texas state trial court (2006)

Villas at Parkside Partners v. City of Farmers Branch, Northern District of Texas (2006)

Barrietos v. City of Farmers Branch, Northern District of Texas (2007)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12254450/parties/vasquez-v-city-of-farmers-branch/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Barr, John Holman (Texas)

Bernal, Diego Manuel (Texas)

Bono, Marisa (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Boyle, John (Texas)

Boyle, Matthew C (Texas)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

3:06-cv-02376

Docket (PACER)

Vasquez v. City of Farmers Branch

April 18, 2007

April 18, 2007

Docket

Ordinance No. 2892

Vasquez v. City of Farmers Branch

No Court

Jan. 2, 2007

Jan. 2, 2007

Other
16

3:06-cv-02376

Order [Denying Plaintiffs' Application for Temporary Restraining Order as Moot]

Vasquez v. City of Farmers Branch

Jan. 11, 2007

Jan. 11, 2007

Order/Opinion
20

3:06-cv-02376

Stipulaton and Order [Requiring Defendant to Give Plaintiffs Notice of Intent to Enforce Ordinance 2892 or Any Like Version]

Vasquez v. City of Farmers Branch

Jan. 18, 2007

Jan. 18, 2007

Pleading / Motion / Brief
22

3:06-cv-02376

Plaintiffs' Status Report [Informing the Court of the Adoption of Ordinance 2903]

Vasquez v. City of Farmers Branch

Jan. 24, 2007

Jan. 24, 2007

Pleading / Motion / Brief
43

3:06-cv-02376

First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Vasquez v. City of Farmers Branch

March 22, 2007

March 22, 2007

Complaint
41

3:06-cv-02376

3:06-cv-02371

3:07-cv-00061

Order of Consolidation

Villas at Parkside Partners v. City of Farmers Branch

April 18, 2007

April 18, 2007

Order/Opinion

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12254450/vasquez-v-city-of-farmers-branch/

Last updated July 5, 2026, 6:09 a.m.

Docket for: Vasquez v. City of Farmers Branch
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Dec. 26, 2006

Verified COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against City of Farmers Branch filed by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2, Alfredo Vasquez, Todd Mongeon, Andrew Mongeon, Ramiro Perez. (Filing fee $350; Receipt number 7198) (axm, ) (Entered: 12/26/2006)

RECAP
2 Dec. 26, 2006

Summons Issued as to City of Farmers Branch. (ISS-1) (axm, ) (Entered: 12/26/2006)

RECAP
3 Dec. 26, 2006

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2, Alfredo Vasquez, Todd Mongeon, Andrew Mongeon, Ramiro Perez. (axm, ) (Entered: 12/26/2006)

RECAP
Dec. 26, 2006

***Magistrate Judge Kaplan chosen by random selection to handle matters that may be referred in this case. (axm, )

4 Dec. 27, 2006

Standing Order Designating Case for ECF - see order for specifics. (Signed by Judge Jerry Buchmeyer on 12/27/2006) (axm, ) (Entered: 12/27/2006)

RECAP
5 Dec. 27, 2006

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to City of Farmers Branch served on 12/26/2006, answer due 1/16/2007. (lmr, ) (Entered: 12/27/2006)

RECAP
6 Dec. 28, 2006

Unopposed MOTION Proceed Anonymously by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2 with Brief in Support. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix Appx.- Minor Children Pls. Mot. to Proceed Anonymously# 2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order) (Perales, Nina) (Entered: 12/28/2006)

RECAP
7 Dec. 29, 2006

Court Request for Recusal: Judge Jerry Buchmeyer recused. Pursuant to instruction in Special Order 3-249, the Clerk has reassigned the case to Judge David C Godbey for all further proceedings. (lrl) (Entered: 12/29/2006)

RECAP
8 Dec. 29, 2006

ORDER OF RECUSAL: Case is assigned to the docket of Judge David C. Godbey. See order for specifics. (Signed by Judge A. Joe Fish on 12/29/2006) (epp) (Entered: 12/29/2006)

RECAP
9 Dec. 29, 2006

Advisory to the Court by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2, Alfredo Vasquez, Todd Mongeon, Andrew Mongeon, Ramiro Perez. (Perales, Nina) Modified on 1/3/2007 (lmr, ). (Entered: 12/29/2006)

RECAP
10 Jan. 5, 2007

Unopposed MOTION Transfer for Possible Consolidation by Alfredo Vasquez with Memorandum in Support. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix Motion to Transfer Appendix# 2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order) (Perales, Nina) (Entered: 01/05/2007)

RECAP
11 Jan. 8, 2007

Application and Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice by Omar C Jadwat for all Plaintiffs.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Jerry Buchmeyer on 01/03/07) (lmp) (Entered: 01/08/2007)

RECAP
12 Jan. 9, 2007

ORDER. The above-referenced matter is TRANSFERRED to the docket of the Honorable Sam A. Lindsay for possible consolidation. Judge David C Godbey no longer assigned to case. (Signed by Judge David C Godbey on 01/09/07) (lmp) (Entered: 01/09/2007)

RECAP
13 Jan. 9, 2007

MOTION for Injunction Temporary Restraining Order by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2, Alfredo Vasquez, Todd Mongeon, Andrew Mongeon, Ramiro Perez with Memorandum in Support. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Memorandum in Support of TRO# 2 Appendix Appendix Part 1# 3 Appendix Appendix Part 2# 4 Appendix Appendix Part 3# 5 Appendix Appendix Part 4# 6 Appendix Appendix Part 5# 7 Appendix Appendix Part 6) (Perales, Nina) (Entered: 01/09/2007)

RECAP
14 Jan. 9, 2007

UNOPPOSED MOTION for Leave to Extend Page Limitations to Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law in Support of their Application for Temporary Restraining Order by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2, Alfredo Vasquez, Todd Mongeon, Andrew Mongeon, Ramiro Perez. (Perales, Nina) Modified on 1/10/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 01/09/2007)

RECAP
15 Jan. 10, 2007

Plea In Abatement by City of Farmers Branch.(Boyle, Matthew) Modified on 1/11/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 01/10/2007)

RECAP
17 Jan. 10, 2007

Application and Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice by Jennifer C Chang for Jane Doe 1 and Jane Does 2 and 3.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Jerry Buchmeyer on 01/10/07) (lmp) (Entered: 01/12/2007)

RECAP
16 Jan. 11, 2007

ORDER temporarily denying as moot 13 MOTION for Injunction Temporary Restraining Order. The court will take no further action on the application at this time, except to issue the following briefing schedule: the City of Farmers Branch shall file their response to Plaintiffs application by January 18, 2007, and Plaintiffs shall file their reply by January 22, 2007.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 01/11/07) (lmp) Modified on 1/11/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 01/11/2007)

Clearinghouse
Jan. 11, 2007

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Sam A. Lindsay : Telephone Conference. Attorney Appearances: Plaintiff - Marisol L. Perez and Nina Perales; Defense - Matthew C.G. Boyle and John F. Boyle, Jr. (Court Reporter Charyse Crawford.) Time in Court: 10 minutes. NO PDF ATTACHED - THIS IS A VIRTUAL MINUTE ENTRY. (dag)

18 Jan. 15, 2007

ANSWER to Complaint by City of Farmers Branch (Boyle, Matthew) (Entered: 01/15/2007)

RECAP
19 Jan. 18, 2007

STIPULATION by Alfredo Vasquez et al and Defendant City Of Farmers Branch. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order) (Perales, Nina) (Entered: 01/18/2007)

RECAP
20 Jan. 18, 2007

ORDER: Before the court is a stipulation entered into between the parties in this case and filed on January 18, 2007. The court accepts the stipulation and issues it as an order of the court. The court further directs the parties to inform it in writing forthwith of any action that Defendant City of Farmers Branch takes regarding the repeal, modification, or replacement of Ordinance 2892. (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 01/18/07) (lmp) (Entered: 01/19/2007)

Clearinghouse
21 Jan. 23, 2007

STATUS REPORT by City of Farmers Branch. (Boyle, Matthew) (Entered: 01/23/2007)

RECAP
22 Jan. 24, 2007

STATUS REPORT by Alfredo Vasquez. (Perales, Nina) (Entered: 01/24/2007)

Clearinghouse
24 Jan. 26, 2007

Application and Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice by Lee Gelernt for all Plaintiffs.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Jerry Buchmeyer on 01/26/07) (lmp) (Entered: 01/30/2007)

RECAP
25 Jan. 26, 2007

MOTION for Leave to Intervene as Defendant and File an Answer by Federation for American Immigration Reform, Inc. (lmp) Modified on 2/1/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 01/30/2007)

RECAP
23 Jan. 29, 2007

Vacation Letter. (Boyle, Matthew) (Entered: 01/29/2007)

RECAP
26 Jan. 31, 2007

ORDER granting 14 UNOPPOSED MOTION for Leave to Extend Page Limitations to Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law in Support of their Application for Temporary Restraining Order. Plaintiffs brief is limited to 33 pages. (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 1/31/2007) (mfw) (Entered: 01/31/2007)

RECAP
27 Jan. 31, 2007

ORDER granting 6 Unopposed MOTION Proceed Anonymously (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 1/31/2007) (mfw) (Entered: 01/31/2007)

RECAP
28 Feb. 5, 2007

Application and Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice by Lucas Guttentag for all Plaintiffs.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Jerry Buchmeyer on 02/05/07) (lmp) (Entered: 02/06/2007)

RECAP
29 Feb. 15, 2007

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Lori Martin Browne on behalf of all plaintiffs (Browne, Lori) (Entered: 02/15/2007)

RECAP
30 Feb. 15, 2007

RESPONSE in Opposition filed by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2, Alfredo Vasquez, Todd Mongeon, Andrew Mongeon, Ramiro Perez re 25 MOTION to Intervene (Browne, Lori) (Entered: 02/15/2007)

RECAP
31 Feb. 22, 2007

Application and Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice by Katharine J Caplan for all Plaintiffs.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 02/22/07) (lmp) (Entered: 02/22/2007)

RECAP
32 Feb. 22, 2007

Application and Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice by David J Healey for All Plaintiff's.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 02/22/07) (lmp) (Entered: 02/22/2007)

RECAP
33 Feb. 28, 2007

Unopposed MOTION to Substitute Attorney. Added attorney Sara Kate Jancaitis, Scott Shanes and Steven Paul Watten for Federation for American Immigration Reform, Inc. (Jancaitis, Sara Kate) Modified on 2/28/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 02/28/2007)

RECAP
34 March 1, 2007

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 30 Response in Opposition to Motion to Intervene by Federation for American Immigration Reform, Inc. (Jancaitis, Sara Kate) Modified on 3/6/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 03/01/2007)

RECAP
36 March 1, 2007

ORDER granting 34 FAIR's Motion for Extension of Time to Reply to Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Motion to Intervene. Replies due by 3/6/2007. (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 3/1/07) (klm) (Entered: 03/02/2007)

RECAP
37 March 1, 2007

Application and Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice by Michael M Hethmon for Federation for American Immigration Reform, Inc.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 03/01/07) (lmp) (Entered: 03/05/2007)

RECAP
35 March 2, 2007

ORDER granting 33 Motion to Substitute Attorney; granting 34 Motion to Extend Time to File Response/Reply. Accordingly, the deadline for FAIR to file its reply to Plaintiffs Memorandum in Opposition to Motion to Intervene is hereby extended from March 2, 2007 to no later than 5:00 p.m., March 6, 2007. (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 3/2/2007) (skt) (Entered: 03/02/2007)

RECAP
38 March 6, 2007

REPLY filed by Federation for American Immigration Reform, Inc re 25 MOTION to Intervene. (Jancaitis, Sara Kate) Modified on 3/9/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 03/06/2007)

RECAP
39 March 9, 2007

Unopposed MOTION to Amend/Correct 1 Complaint, by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2, Alfredo Vasquez, Todd Mongeon, Andrew Mongeon, Ramiro Perez (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit First Amended Complaint For Declaratory And Injunctive Relief) (Perales, Nina) (Entered: 03/09/2007)

RECAP
40 March 13, 2007

ORDER granting 39 Unopposed MOTION to Amend/Correct 1 Complaint. Accordingly, Plaintiffs shall file their First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief within three business days of this order. (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 03/13/07) (lmp) (Entered: 03/13/2007)

RECAP
41 March 21, 2007

Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File First Amended Complaint Beyond Court-Ordered Deadline by Jane Doe 1, Jane Does 2 and 3, John Does 1 and 2, Alfredo Vasquez, Todd Mongeon, Andrew Mongeon, Ramiro Perez (Perales, Nina) (Entered: 03/21/2007)

Clearinghouse
42 March 22, 2007

ORDER granting 41 Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File First Amended Complaint Beyond Court-Ordered Deadline. Accordingly, Plaintiffs shall file their First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief within three business days of this order. (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 03/22/07) (lmp) (Entered: 03/22/2007)

RECAP
43 March 22, 2007

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF against all defendants filed by Alfredo Vasquez. (Perales, Nina) Modified on 3/23/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 03/22/2007)

Clearinghouse
44 March 30, 2007

Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer by City of Farmers Branch (Boyle, Matthew) (Entered: 03/30/2007)

RECAP
45 April 2, 2007

ORDER granting 44 Motion for Extension of Time to File Answer. Accordingly, the deadline for Defendant to answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint extended to April 13, 2007. City of Farmers Branch answer due 4/13/2007.(see order for specifics) (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 04/02/07) (lmp) (Entered: 04/03/2007)

RECAP
46 April 10, 2007

Vacation Letter for the followng dates April 20th & 23rd, 2007. May 4th & 7th, 2007. (Boyle, Matthew) Modified on 4/11/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 04/10/2007)

RECAP
47 April 13, 2007

MOTION to Dismiss for Plaintiffs' Failure to State Claim and Lack of Jurisdiction by City of Farmers Branch. (Boyle, Matthew) Modified on 4/16/2007 (lmp). (Entered: 04/13/2007)

RECAP
48 April 18, 2007

ORDER CONSOLIDATING CASES: the court directs the clerk of the court to administratively close Civil Action No. 3:06-CV-2376-L and Civil Action No. 3:07-CV-0061-L for statistical purposes. Case consolidated with 3:06-CV-2371-L. (Signed by Judge Sam A Lindsay on 4/18/07) (cxb) (Entered: 04/19/2007)

RECAP
April 18, 2007

Cases associated: Create association to 3:06-cv-02371 (per doc. 48). (cxb)

Case Details

State / Territory:

Texas

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 26, 2006

Closing Date: 2008

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Legal permanent residents of the United States, living in apartments in the City of Farmers Branch, Texas

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project

ACLU National (all projects)

MALDEF

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City

City of Farmers Branch, TX

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1981

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Federalism (including 10th Amendment)

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Texas 3:06-cv-02376

Northern District of Texas 3:06-cv-02371

Northern District of Texas 3:07-cv-00061

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

Immigration/Border:

Constitutional rights

Undocumented immigrants - state and local regulation

Recommended Citation