Not to address the immigrant side of this story, I can't believe home-owners/landlords didin't object to this more strongly. If I live in a metropolitan area and am renting, am I, a potential client more or less inclined to rent in Farmers Branch if I have to go apply for a license before I rent your apartment. I'm curious as to any studies on rental vacancies before and after the 2006 city ordinance was enacted. To me it would seem the tax-paying, law abiding landlords are harmed with this. Sort of like my current place of residency, they ban business signage larger than 3x4 feet and no higher than 5 or 6 feet. Due to the business unfriendly nature of my city, the adjoining city has a booming business community while ours is a pure bed-room community. Try doing city improvements without million dollar companies providing a large portion of that bill.