When Fremont voters approved an ordinance banning the hiring and renting to illegal immigrants, they knew the courts would eventually get involved.

Now some believe City Council might attempt to lose the court battle on purpose.

The ACLU and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund are putting pressure on the City of Fremont to put a stop to the newly passed ordinance.

The new law is set to take effect Thursday.

But the next two days could mean the end of the ordinance, at least for now.

On Wednesday, a federal judge will decide whether to temporarily block the new ordinance until the courts can determine the law's legality.

But on Tuesday, Fremont City Council will discuss suspending the new law until 14 days after the court cases are resolved.

Robert Hartwig, Fremont City Administrator, says, "There's some chance to get some cost-savings if you are proactive about it rather than reacting to a court injunction or restraining order."

City Council members may also decide who will defend Fremont in court.

Hartwig says, "They understand that the citizens are saying 'we want you to defend the ordinance and the city council intends to defend the ordinance."

But some supporters of the ordinance believe that might not be the case.

Jerry Hart is one of the petitioners responsible for getting the proposed ordinance to a city-wide vote. He says, "Since the city has fought this thing from day 1 and is continuing to fight it, whether it's going to be true or not, it's really going to look like they're trying to throw the suit if they don't get the best qualified person."

Hart believes that person is Kris Kobach, who defended the petitioners in front of the Nebraska Supreme Court years ago when the City Council rejected the law. City leaders have hinted they may look elsewhere.

Hartwig says, "They're looking at a lot of different options and Kris Kobach is one of the options that the council is looking at."

But Hart, says there is no one better than Kobach who specializes in immigration law and promised a free defense if chosen. "If you're really, really concerned about doing the will of the people, then you need to do that."

Hartwig adds, "We're going to look and really look carefully and pick the person that we think is the best person to defend the city."