NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ A Dallas suburb has asked a federal appeals court to uphold an ordinance that would ban illegal immigrants from renting homes in the town.

The full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans agreed to rehear the case Wednesday after a three-judge panel from the court ruled in March that Farmers Branch's ordinance is unconstitutional and impermissibly interferes with the federal immigration system.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach argued for the Texas town at Wednesday's hearing.

The court's 15 judges didn't immediately rule after hearing arguments on behalf of the town and a group of landlords and tenants who sued to block the ordinance's enforcement.