OK: Controversial Immigration Bill Approved

[Jean]

Controversial Immigration Bill Approved
AP - 4/3/2007 1:07 PM - Updated 4/3/2007 1:13 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state Senate committee on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to block illegal immigrants' access to jobs and state benefits. The House-passed measure, by Rep. Randy Terrill and Sen. James Williamson, allows workers displaced by illegal immigrants to file a discrimination complaint with the Human Rights Commission.

The Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizenship Protection Act of 2007 requires employers to verify the legal status of employees they hire.

It makes it a felony under state law for anyone to knowingly transport or harbor from detection an undocumented worker.

Critics called the bill mean-spirited and punitive.

Williamson, R-Tulsa, said it responds to widespread dissatisfaction among the public to the failure of the federal government to deal with the immigration issue.

The bill allows children of illegal immigrants to continue to receive in-state tuition to attend Oklahoma colleges if they are currently enrolled. The measure tightens up requirements that such students be seeking legal status.

The Senate floor is the next stop for the proposal.

http://www.kotv.com/news/topstory/?id=124207

[Charlesoakisland]

ok, OK a good step forward.

[ProudAmericanFamily]

All of a sudden it seems that the tide is changing in a very new and good direction!

All these little victories add up!

[Charlesoakisland]

All of a sudden it seems that the tide is changing in a very new and good direction!

All these little victories add up!

except with those fools we sent to DC to represent us.

Now if our Representatives in Raleigh will take notice they might get reelected.

[kniggit]

Bill to restrict illegal immigrants passes Senate committee

By John Greiner
Capitol Bureau

A Senate committee voted 5-3 this morning to approve legislation to crack down on illegal immigration in Oklahoma, despite arguments from opponents who said this was the federal government's job.

House Bill 1804 by Sen. James Williamson now goes to the full Senate.

The bill denies public benefits to people who are in Oklahoma illegally, except in the case of emergencies, particularly in the areas of health care and emergency disaster relief, Williamson, R-Tulsa, said.

It does not punish college students who already are enrolled, regardless of their immigration status.

One opponent of the bill said state government should stay out of the federal government's business.

"How do we in Oklahoma expect to do what the federal government is supposed to do?” asked Sen. Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne.

He said the bill puts an onerous burden on employers in Oklahoma.

Williamson said the people in Oklahoma are concerned about this issue and have seen that the federal government is not dealing with it.

The bill forbids jobs being taken away from U.S. citizens and given to illegal immigrants, he said.

The legislation was termed a "dangerous move” by Ed Romo, vice president for politics and civil rights for the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The measure will make Hispanics a subclass of citizens, Romo said.

"We're going to see discriminatory practices,” he said.



http://www.newsok.com/article/3035539

[kniggit]

The legislation was termed a "dangerous move” by Ed Romo, vice president for politics and civil rights for the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The measure will make Hispanics a subclass of citizens, Romo said.

"We're going to see discriminatory practices,” he said.

Where in this bill does it say a thing about Hispanics? What about this bill will make Hispanics subclass? The ONLY thing it will affect is people that are in this country illegally whether they be latino, asian, irish, whatever....perhaps Mr Romo knows more than he admits?????

[CCUSA]

Great news!

[SOSADFORUS]

Way to go Oklahoma, time to get in the fight

[Rockfish]

Oklahoma's OK!

[April]

WAY TO GO OKLAHOMA! I am proud!