www.aol.com Open in urlscan Pro
2001:4998:124:1704::5000  Public Scan

URL: https://www.aol.com/hateful-policy-oklahoma-immigration-law-110047442.html
Submission: On May 04 via manual from US — Scanned from US

Form analysis 1 forms found in the DOM

GET https://search.aol.com/aol/search

<form id="header-form" method="GET" target="_top" data-rapid="true" data-ylk="ll2:amp-bon;elm:search;sec:srch;slk:websrch;tar:search.aol.com;itc:0;" action="https://search.aol.com/aol/search" class="header-form--smaller">
  <div class="boundary header-search-form"><input role="search" aria-haspopup="false" aria-label="Search" autocapitalize="on" autocorrect="on" autocomplete="off" autofocus="" class="text wafer-autocomplete" data-wf-ac-trigger="click"
      data-wf-ac-target="#header-form-search-input-list" data-wf-ac-boundary="boundary"
      data-wf-ac-url="https://search.aol.com/sugg/gossip/gossip-us-ura/?command={term}&amp;bm_chan=2&amp;bm_limit=4&amp;bm_max=1&amp;dict=en_us_search&amp;appId=www.aol.com&amp;it=comsearch&amp;nresults=8&amp;output=sd1" data-wf-ac-sync-on-search="1"
      data-wf-ac-type="gossip" data-wf-on="complete:setState:aolHeaderSearchAutoComplete" dir="auto" id="header-form-search-input" spellcheck="false" tabindex="0" placeholder="Search" title="Search" name="q" value="" type="text"
      aria-controls="header-form-search-input-list" aria-expanded="false" data-rapid_p="1" data-v9y="1">
    <div id="header-form-search-input-list" class="searchSuggestion"></div><button target="_self" id="header-form-search-button" class="rapid-noclick-resp" name="submitIcon" type="submit"
      data-ylk="ll2:amp-bon;elm:search;sec:srch;slk:websrch;tar:search.aol.com;itc:0;elmt:icon;rspns:nav;t1:a1;t2:srch;tar_uri:/aol/search;" title="Search" data-rapid_p="2" data-v9y="1"><svg viewBox="0 0 256 256">
        <path
          d="M 108.47 2.2 C 50.26 2.2 2.95 49.58 2.95 107.8 C 2.95 166.02 50.22 213.33 108.48 213.33 C 166.7 213.33 214.08 166.06 214.08 107.8 C 214.08 49.58 166.7 2.2 108.48 2.2 Z M 108.47 14.68 C 159.99 14.68 201.59 56.32 201.59 107.8 C 201.59 159.32 159.95 200.92 108.47 200.92 C 56.95 200.92 15.35 159.28 15.35 107.8 C 15.35 56.28 56.99 14.68 108.47 14.68 Z M 166.69 184.09 A 6.22 6.22 90 0 0 166.69 192.91 L 221.06 247.28 A 6.22 6.22 90 0 0 229.88 247.28 A 6.22 6.22 90 0 0 229.88 238.46 L 175.47 184.09 A 6.22 6.22 90 0 0 166.65 184.09 Z">
        </path>
      </svg></button><input type="hidden" name="s_qt" value="ac" data-name="s_qt" data-assist-only="true" disabled="true" data-rapid_p="3" data-v9y="0"><input type="hidden" name="rp" value="" data-name="rp" data-rapid_p="4" data-v9y="0"><input
      type="hidden" name="s_chn" value="prt_bon-news" data-name="s_chn" data-rapid_p="5" data-v9y="0"><input type="hidden" name="s_it" value="comsearch-b" data-name="s_it" data-rapid_p="6" data-v9y="0">
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

Skip to main content
Display Advertisement

Sign in
Mail

24/7 Help

For premium support please call:

800-290-4726more ways to reach us
Mail
Sign in
 * Subscriptions
   
 * Animals
 * Business
 * Elections
 * Entertainment
 * Fitness
 * Food
 * Games
 * Health
 * Home & Garden
 * Lighter Side
 * News
 * Online Classes
 * Science & Tech
 * Shopping
 * Sports
 * Weather



Sign in
 * Subscriptions
   
 * Animals
 * Business
 * Elections
 * Entertainment
 * Fitness
 * Food
 * Games
 * Health
 * Home & Garden
 * Lighter Side
 * News
 * Online Classes
 * Science & Tech
 * Shopping
 * Sports
 * Weather




'A HATEFUL POLICY.' OKLAHOMA IMMIGRATION LAW CRITICIZED AS GROUPS PLAN LEGAL
ACTION

Gannett
M. Scott Carter and Josh Dulaney, The Oklahoman
May 2, 2024 at 7:00 AM


Reaction was swift after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill authorizing state law
enforcement officials to arrest people guilty of "impermissible occupation,"
those in Oklahoma without any legal authorization to enter the United States.

Opponents of the new law, which goes into effect July 1, said they would go to
court to stop the measure, saying that it encourages racial profiling and
attacks residents contributing millions in tax dollars to the state each year.

House Bill 4156, which passed through the heavily Republican Legislature with
broad support, was signed by the governor, also a Republican, on Tuesday.

Stitt said the measure was necessary for public safety.

"Oklahomans are concerned by who could be lying in wait for an opportunity to
bring harm to our country," he said in announcing approval of the bill.

Under HB 4156, a person charged with violation of the law could face a year in
jail and a fine of up to $500 on their first offense. That person also would be
required to leave the state within 72 hours of being released from custody. A
second offense could result in a felony conviction that carries a punishment of
up to two years in prison and fines of up to $1,000.

More: Oklahoma immigration bill: What does HB 4156 say? Does it promote racial
profiling?

At the same time he signed the bill, Stitt announced the creation of the
Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task Force, which he said was tasked with
finding ways to bolster Oklahoma's workforce and create opportunities for those
who are here contributing to communities and the economy.

"As I’ve said many times, governors should have more authority over the H1-B
visa process so we can better address the workforce needs of our economies. This
task force will be a step in that direction," the governor said.


State Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval speaks to a crowd on the north Capitol plaza
in late April. The group assembled to express opposition to the bill signed
Tuesday by Gov. Kevin Stitt to give state law enforcement officials authority to
arrest people without legal documentation to be in the United States. About 70%
of Alonso Sandoval’s District 89 is Hispanic.


'IT'S GONNA HAVE CONSEQUENCE THE GOVERNOR ISN'T TALKING ABOUT'

State Sen. Michael Brooks, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, said the bill was a
bad idea and targets hardworking residents of the state. Brooks said he had
previously authored legislation that would allow undocumented workers who could
provide proof they were paying taxes in the state to receive a state
identification card. He said that legislation never made it out of committee.

"It's gonna have consequences the governor isn't talking about," Brooks said.
"This bill doesn't discriminate based on where the immigrant is from. It will
affect people from the Latino community."

Brooks said there is no provision in the bill to protect individuals who are
wrongly charged. He said the Legislature's Latino Caucus was currently looking
for partners to join them in a lawsuit against the bill and predicted the
measure would have a negative economic impact in Oklahoma.

Opinion: Kids shouldn't have to worry about losing parents to 'ill-advised'
immigration legislation

"This has happened in other states," Brooks said. "It happened previously in
Alabama. In Alabama the impact to their gross domestic product turned out to be
somewhere between $3 and $12 billion dollars and their undocumented population
was similar to what we have now."

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said the new law was
unconstitutional and an example of political pandering.

"This legislation is dangerous and scary, and I am saddened to see the governor
overlook the many — progressive, conservative and religious — voices in
opposition of this bill. Not to mention the voices of people who would be
directly impacted," Munson said.

She added: "This legislation is all about partisan politics in an election year,
not about solving real problems for Oklahomans. Border security is the
responsibility of the federal government. This bill is hateful policy that does
nothing to protect Oklahomans or bolster our workforce — simply put, it is
politics at its worst."


OKLAHOMA LAW SIMILAR TO TEXAS LAW THAT HAS FACED LEGAL CHALLENGES

Oklahoma's new law is similar to one passed in Texas, which was challenged in
January by the U.S. Justice Department.

“SB 4 is clearly unconstitutional,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita
Gupta. “Under the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution and longstanding Supreme
Court precedent, states cannot adopt immigration laws that interfere with the
framework enacted by Congress. The Justice Department will continue to fulfill
its responsibility to uphold the Constitution and enforce federal law.”

Advertisement

The state of Texas cannot disregard the United States Constitution and settled
Supreme Court precedent, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M.
Boynton said. “We have brought this action to ensure that Texas adheres to the
framework adopted by Congress and the Constitution for regulation of
immigration.”

Editorial: Oklahoma already has laws to deal with criminals. New bill could harm
immigrant communities more

On Wednesday, local law enforcement agencies said they would need to meet with
legal counsel to discuss the new law’s ramifications on their operations.

“At this time there is no plan in place to change the way we operate,” Master
Sgt. Gary Knight told The Oklahoman. “We don’t check immigration status. We will
sit down with our legal department and see what our legal requirements are.
We’ll obviously meet with some of the leaders of the Hispanic community and talk
with them.”

Knight said law enforcement officials were concerned that with passage of the
legislation some community members or crime victims might not come forward to
report crimes they’ve witnessed or were harmed by.

“We don’t want to put any member of our community in fear of calling the police
because of something like immigration status,” he said.

Similarly, the Oklahoma County sheriff’s office doesn’t check for immigration
status, spokesman Aaron Brilbeck said. Brilbeck said the sheriff’s office also
will need to meet with its legal team to “discuss how to move forward” under the
new law.


OKLAHOMA RELIGIOUS GROUPS VOICE OPPOSITION TO HB 4156

The leaders of several state religious groups said they, too, are opposed to the
Oklahoma law.

"Unfortunately, some of the initiatives passed Tuesday by Oklahoma lawmakers
fail to consider the humanity of the men, women and families immigrating to the
United States," Archbishop Paul Coakley, the leader of the Oklahoma Catholic
Church, said in a media statement.

"The immigration legislation — House Bill 4156 ― is deeply flawed," Coakley
said.

He added that the bill, "harms communities, separates families and weakens our
economy. It fails to address the real criminal issues we face in Oklahoma ―
seeking a misguided sense of justice at the expense of mercy."

Coakley said illegal immigration was wrong and "measures should be considered to
protect Oklahoma’s borders, most especially against the influx of human and drug
trafficking."

More: Group of Oklahoman faith leaders speak out against immigration bill

The archbishop said state officials must recognize that the vast majority of
undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma are upstanding members of our communities
and churches, not violent criminals.

"They assist their communities in many ways and provide needed services. They
are our friends and neighbors. They happen to be some of the most vulnerable in
our midst," Coakley said. "For these families, the proposed bill will only cause
fear and trauma. There is a better way."

In addition to Coakley, 22 other religious leaders delivered a letter to Senate
Pro Tempore Greg Treat and Stitt, saying the bill was unnecessary and punishes
residents.

“Oklahoma organizations are already planning to challenge the legislation in the
courts, should it be passed,” stated the Rev. Lori Walke, senior minister at
Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ. “Chances are good that it
would be struck down. Is this what our state should be doing with hard-earned
tax dollars?”

Tim Luschen, a pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, said a majority
of undocumented immigrants were contributing members to neighborhoods, schools,
churches and businesses.

“This bill is not what Oklahomans need," Luschen said. "We urge legislators to
find a better way to address crime, one that reflects the Oklahoma Standard we
so often speak of."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New immigration law 2024 in
Oklahoma likely to face legal challenges

Show comments



IN OTHER NEWS

Entertainment
Entertainment
USA TODAY

JEWEL SWATS AWAY QUESTIONS ABOUT KEVIN COSTNER ROMANCE: 'I'M SO HAPPY,
IRRELEVANT OF …


Entertainment
Us Weekly

SAM ASGHARI 'FEELS TERRIBLE' AFTER BRITNEY SPEARS' INCIDENT AT HOTEL



Finance
Finance
Fox Business

ELON MUSK SUES INDIAN BATTERY COMPANY TESLA POWER FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT


Finance
Reuters

REDDIT CEO BENEFICIALLY OWNS 61.5% OF CLASS A SHARES, REGULATORY FILING SHOWS


Food
Food
Eating Well

PADMA LAKSHMI'S 3 TIPS FOR COOKING THE FLUFFIEST RICE ARE LIFE-CHANGING


Food
Southern Living

6 DERBY RECIPES THAT ARE QUICKER THAN A KENTUCKY RACEHORSE


Lighter Side
Lighter Side
CNN

CHINA’S SHAOLIN MONKS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE ACROBATICS. THIS
PHOTOGRAPHER CA…


Lighter Side
CBS News

A BOY GAVE AWAY HIS ONLY DOLLAR. HOW HE WAS REWARDED FOR HIS GENEROSITY


Sports
Sports
Yahoo Sports

PADRES REPORTEDLY CLOSING IN ON TRADE TO ACQUIRE 2-TIME BATTING CHAMP LUIS
ARRÁEZ FRO…


Sports
Yahoo Sports

CAITLIN CLARK CATCHES FIRE FROM 3 IN WNBA PRESEASON DEBUT; SEE HIGHLIGHTS


Weather
Weather
Associated Press

FLOOD AND LANDSLIDE HIT INDONESIA'S SULAWESI ISLAND, KILLING 14


Weather
Associated Press

AP PHOTOS: SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES COPE WITH A WEEKSLONG HEAT WAVE




Advertisement

Advertisement

Show comments


Advertisement

Advertisement

Show comments


Advertisement

Advertisement

Show comments


Advertisement


 * 
 * Feedback
 * Help
 * Join AOL
 * 
 * Accessibility
 * EU Digital Services Act
 * Terms and Privacy Policy
 * Your Privacy Choices
 * 
 * About Us
 * About our Ads
 * Advertising
 * Sitemap

 * 
 * 
 * 

 * 
 * 

© 2024 Yahoo. All rights reserved.