Judge upholds ban on Valley Park's immigration law

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- Once again, a judge on Wednesday upheld an order banning enforcement of a St. Louis suburb's law aimed at keeping illegal immigrants out of the community. But the legal fight is far from over.

St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Barbara Crancer upheld a temporary restraining order that prohibits Valley Park, Mo., from enforcing its law prohibiting landlords who rent to illegal immigrants.

Crancer set a court date for Sept. 13 to decide whether to permanently strike down the ordinance.

Crancer's order is just the latest step in a legal fight between Valley Park and a group of attorneys who want to overturn the law as unconstitutional and discriminatory.

A legal team of more than a dozen lawyers fighting Valley Park is drawn from a number of advocacy groups, including public interest groups like the ACLU and private firms like Missouri's largest, Bryan Cave LLP.

Valley Park City Attorney Eric Martin has been arguing alone on behalf of the city. He left Wednesday's court hearing without commenting to the media.

Another St. Louis County judge struck down Valley Park's original immigration law in March. That law fined landlords if they rented to illegal immigrants.

Just as the original law was struck down, the Valley Park city council passed a replacement ordinance. The new law denies occupancy permits to landlords who rent to illegal immigrants.

Opponents of the measure argued that occupancy permits are designed to ensure the safety of dwellings -- not exclude a class of people from a city.

Kathy A. Wisniewski, an attorney with Bryan Cave, said she's hopeful the city won't pass yet another ordinance if a permanent injunction is granted in September.

"Hopefully, if this trail is struck down, there won't be too many roads they can pursue," she said.

Valley Park Mayor Jeffrey Whittaker didn't return a message seeking comment, but has said previously he introduced the immigration law in July because he was responding to complaints from residents. He said illegal immigrants in the area were driving without licenses and overcrowding some apartments.

"We thought we were helping solve a local problem here and it's just blossomed into a national event," Whittaker said.