It's about time. .But New York won't do it
House sends sweeping immigration reform bill to governor's desk
By Tim Talley Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Legislation described as the nation's most sweeping attempt to deny jobs and public benefits to illegal immigrants was sent to Gov. Brad Henry's desk Tuesday.
State lawmakers urged Henry to sign the measure into law after it was approved in a bipartisan 84-14 vote by the state House. The bill was approved 41-6 by the Senate last month.
"The people of Oklahoma are very strongly for this bill," said House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah.
Immigrant groups said the bill is a wrong-headed approach to stop illegal immigration and urged Henry to veto it.
"It's not going to control immigration. It's going to create a long-term sour view in the Latino community," said Ed Romo, vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
"It's targeting the Latinos, the Hispanics, and nobody else," said Ed Madrid, state director of LULAC.
Pat Fennell, executive director of the Latino Community Development Agency in Oklahoma City, said the state does not have the authority to supersede federal immigration law.
"It opens the door for all kinds of litigation," Fennell said. "We're going to be paying the consequences of this silly bill."
Henry, who has previously said he believes illegal immigration is a federal issue, has not decided whether he will sign or veto the measure, a spokesman said.
"Gov. Henry supports responsible and effective immigration reform, but he will withhold judgment on this particular bill until he has had an opportunity to review the final version," communications director Paul Sund said.
The measure contains the toughest state guidelines on dealing with illegal immigration in the nation, said Mike Hethmon, general counsel of the Immigration Reform Law Institute in Washington.
Lawmakers in Oklahoma and other states have proposed immigration bills because of the federal government's failure to control the flow of undocumented immigrants, now estimated at 12 million nationwide, Hethmon said.
The Oklahoma bill builds on measures passed by other states but has a stronger focus on deterring unauthorized employment, he said.
"It lays the foundations for state and local action in a very broad scope of public activities," Hethmon said.
The legislation addresses the root cause of illegal immigration - exploitation of illegal immigrant labor, he said. Among other things, the bill contains employment, labor law and civil rights provisions to protect citizens and legal immigrants who lose their jobs at companies that employ illegal immigrants to perform the same or similar work.
"Stealing American jobs is now a civil rights violation in Oklahoma," Hethmon said.
The measure targets employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens in order to gain a competitive advantage. Key elements of the bill focus on determining worker eligibility, including technology called the Basic Pilot program, which screens Social Security numbers to make sure they are real and that they match up with the person's name.
Created by the federal government to verify the eligibility of government employees, use of the program is mandated in Georgia, said the author of the Oklahoma legislation, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. It is free to employers who voluntarily sign up, he said.
Public agencies will be required to use the program beginning Nov. 1 and private companies by July 1, 2008.
Mike Seney, senior vice president of operations for The State Chamber, a business and industry group in Oklahoma City, said the group initially opposed the bill but took a neutral position after changes were approved in the Senate.
The changes widened so-called "safe harbor" provisions that allow employers to avoid sanctions for hiring undocumented immigrants if they use the Basic Pilot program and other methods to verify worker eligibility, Seney said.
"All of that goes out the window if you are participating in one of these safe harbor areas," he said.
Terrill said the measure would limit state driver's licenses and identity cards to citizens and legal immigrants and would require state and local agencies to verify the citizenship and immigration status of applicants for state or local benefits.
"The land of opportunity is becoming the land of entitlement," Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, said while debating for the bill.
The measure would not affect emergency medical and humanitarian services, such as visits to hospital emergency rooms and enrollment in public schools, that are required by federal law.
Terrill said the Federation of American Immigration Reform estimates that illegal immigrants costs state taxpayers up to $200 million a year in public benefits and other resources.
"We have several thousand illegal aliens coming across our border every day," Terrill said. "It is a situation that is not sustainable or desirable."
By Tim Talley Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Legislation described as the nation's most sweeping attempt to deny jobs and public benefits to illegal immigrants was sent to Gov. Brad Henry's desk Tuesday.
State lawmakers urged Henry to sign the measure into law after it was approved in a bipartisan 84-14 vote by the state House. The bill was approved 41-6 by the Senate last month.
"The people of Oklahoma are very strongly for this bill," said House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah.
Immigrant groups said the bill is a wrong-headed approach to stop illegal immigration and urged Henry to veto it.
"It's not going to control immigration. It's going to create a long-term sour view in the Latino community," said Ed Romo, vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
"It's targeting the Latinos, the Hispanics, and nobody else," said Ed Madrid, state director of LULAC.
Pat Fennell, executive director of the Latino Community Development Agency in Oklahoma City, said the state does not have the authority to supersede federal immigration law.
"It opens the door for all kinds of litigation," Fennell said. "We're going to be paying the consequences of this silly bill."
Henry, who has previously said he believes illegal immigration is a federal issue, has not decided whether he will sign or veto the measure, a spokesman said.
"Gov. Henry supports responsible and effective immigration reform, but he will withhold judgment on this particular bill until he has had an opportunity to review the final version," communications director Paul Sund said.
The measure contains the toughest state guidelines on dealing with illegal immigration in the nation, said Mike Hethmon, general counsel of the Immigration Reform Law Institute in Washington.
Lawmakers in Oklahoma and other states have proposed immigration bills because of the federal government's failure to control the flow of undocumented immigrants, now estimated at 12 million nationwide, Hethmon said.
The Oklahoma bill builds on measures passed by other states but has a stronger focus on deterring unauthorized employment, he said.
"It lays the foundations for state and local action in a very broad scope of public activities," Hethmon said.
The legislation addresses the root cause of illegal immigration - exploitation of illegal immigrant labor, he said. Among other things, the bill contains employment, labor law and civil rights provisions to protect citizens and legal immigrants who lose their jobs at companies that employ illegal immigrants to perform the same or similar work.
"Stealing American jobs is now a civil rights violation in Oklahoma," Hethmon said.
The measure targets employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens in order to gain a competitive advantage. Key elements of the bill focus on determining worker eligibility, including technology called the Basic Pilot program, which screens Social Security numbers to make sure they are real and that they match up with the person's name.
Created by the federal government to verify the eligibility of government employees, use of the program is mandated in Georgia, said the author of the Oklahoma legislation, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. It is free to employers who voluntarily sign up, he said.
Public agencies will be required to use the program beginning Nov. 1 and private companies by July 1, 2008.
Mike Seney, senior vice president of operations for The State Chamber, a business and industry group in Oklahoma City, said the group initially opposed the bill but took a neutral position after changes were approved in the Senate.
The changes widened so-called "safe harbor" provisions that allow employers to avoid sanctions for hiring undocumented immigrants if they use the Basic Pilot program and other methods to verify worker eligibility, Seney said.
"All of that goes out the window if you are participating in one of these safe harbor areas," he said.
Terrill said the measure would limit state driver's licenses and identity cards to citizens and legal immigrants and would require state and local agencies to verify the citizenship and immigration status of applicants for state or local benefits.
"The land of opportunity is becoming the land of entitlement," Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, said while debating for the bill.
The measure would not affect emergency medical and humanitarian services, such as visits to hospital emergency rooms and enrollment in public schools, that are required by federal law.
Terrill said the Federation of American Immigration Reform estimates that illegal immigrants costs state taxpayers up to $200 million a year in public benefits and other resources.
"We have several thousand illegal aliens coming across our border every day," Terrill said. "It is a situation that is not sustainable or desirable."
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BRAVO !! He better sign it.
Doug0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
BRAVO !! He better sign it.
Doug
+1. I know I would.0 -
Great law. I hope he signs it.
This should be made federal law.0 -
The bill specifically mentions Latinos and Hispanics, does it? So, it says something along the lines of:
If thee shall find any HISPANICS or LATINOS who beeth in this nation illegally, it is thine sworn duty to export them back across the Southern border. However, if thee shall find non-HISPANICS or non-LATINOS who beeth in this nation illegally, those illegals are okay and shall remain free and unhindered. So sayeth the Legislature, so it shall be done!
Or, is this merely the knee-jerk reaction of someone with his own agenda?
I've not seen the bill, so if someone would clarify, that'd be great.0 -
LESWVa FOR PRESIDENT
When I get in office....
Top ten reform laws that will take effect three days after sworn into office...
#1. Illegal immigrants.. You have 14 days from today to get the hell out of the United States. So get packing. If you are found within the borders of the US after 14 days. 25 years in prison. No If's, And's Or But's about it.
#2.All of those who wish to see Guns banned in the US. Please raise your hand....
Good. The Second Amendment gives the people of the US the Right to keep and Bear Arms..
All of those that raised their hand please line up outside. For you are now charged with treason and attempt to violate the Bill Of Rights.
You are hereby sentenced to 15 years at hard labor..
#3. All who thinks that the Gay and Lesbian lifestyle should be taught in schools raise your hand..
All of those that raised their hand please line up outside. You are now being charged with crimes against nature. You are to be executed at sunrise tomorrow.
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That what it will take to get an anti-immigration movement started.
If they are illegial they have not rights in this country and that needs to be renforced strongly.0 -
quote:"It's not going to control immigration. It's going to create a long-term sour view in the Latino community," said Ed Romo, vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
Well then just tell them if they don't like it to go back to their home land. Just like they didn't like it there and came here. Tough ship!!!0
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