http://www.newsok.com/article/296585...late=news/main

By Jennifer Mock
The Oklahoman

Illegal immigration has become a divisive issue this election year, and the local debate continued Thursday night as anti-illegal immigration state lawmakers squared off against community leaders who say immigration should be dealt with on the federal level.

About 50 people gathered at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City for an immigration debate sponsored by the Citizens League of Central Oklahoma.

Under federal law, illegal immigrants qualify for free public education and emergency health care, which some Republican lawmakers say costs the state money that should be spent on legal taxpayers.

Illegal immigrants do not qualify for state benefits such as food stamps and day care assistance, but some lawmakers said they fear state law is not stopping the flow of taxpayer-subsidized services to illegal immigrants.

Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Del City, called giving taxpayer benefits to illegal immigrants a "recipe for economic disaster."

Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, agreed, saying immigrants should come to Oklahoma legally or not at all. Terrill, who sponsored legislation this year attempting to crack down on illegal immigration, said he plans to refile legislation next year that will include employer penalties for hiring illegal workers.

Terrill said his legislation will be the "toughest bill in the nation next year."

Patricia Fennell, director of the Latino Community Development Agency, said the state and nation need immigrant workers in the job market, and without them the cost of goods and services would increase.

Shirley Cox, an immigration lawyer with Catholic Charities, blamed the federal government for the illegal immigration problem because it has become so hard to come to the country legally.

"People would come to the U.S. legally if they could," Cox said.

While Fennell and Cox supported what they called "earned legalization" for illegal workers already in the country, Calvey said any type of amnesty program would just make the problem worse.

"Amnesty is a slap in the face to those who have come here legally," Calvey said. "What kind of citizen will that be when their first act in this country is breaking our law?"

Cox urged the crowd to consider a "humane response" when talking about illegal immigrants, most of whom are just seeking better lives for their families, she said.