FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Residents of a small Nebraska city voted Tuesday to keep regulations that require all renters to swear they have legal permission to live in the U.S., likely pushing the city back into the forefront of the immigration debate.

Fremont voters decided to keep an ordinance that they originally adopted in 2010. Critics had said the rules were less effective and more costly than anyone expected and were damaging the city’s image. But 59.6 of local voters — more than the 57 percent in favor four years ago — sided Tuesday with supporters, who say Fremont needed to take a stand against illegal immigration.