Voters in a small town in the midwestern U.S. state of Nebraska have approved tough enforcement measures on the hiring and renting of property to illegal immigrants.
Nearly 60 percent of voters in the town of Fremont endorsed the ordinance in a referendum Monday.
The ordinance would require businesses to verify employees have legal immigration status to work. It would also require potential renters to apply for a city license that would be denied to illegal immigrants.
Supporters say federal officials do not properly enforce immigration laws. Opponents say the Nebraska town's law could fuel discrimination -- echoing concerns about a recent Arizona law requiring local police to check a person's immigration status if they suspect he or she is in the country illegally.
The Obama administration has said it will challenge the Arizona law.
Under the Arizona law, police would be required to arrest those who are unable to provide documents proving their legal status.
The American Civil Liberties Union has promised to file a lawsuit to block enforcement of the Nebraska ordinance.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
