Thread: Immigrant racial-profiling bill for OK

Immigrant racial-profiling bill for OK
Russell Carter Reporting KFOR
6:36 PM CDT, April 29, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Members of the ACLU went to the State Capitol and spoke out against Oklahoma lawmakers who are trying to push similar legislation recently passed in Arizona. If the measure passes, law enforcement would have the right to question a person's citizenship and demand documentation if they believe they're an illegal alien. Those against the measure say it's a clear cut case of racial profiling.

"You've heard driving while black, you've heard of flying while Muslim and now we are looking at the prospect of breathing while brown," said Chuck Thornton with the ACLU.

But state representatives say they're just trying to protect our borders and claim the Federal government passed similar laws nearly 50 years ago.

"You have illegal aliens that are contributing to all sorts of problems in this country ranging from crime and gangs and drugs and whole sale illegal alien prostitution rings," said State Representative Randy Terrill from Moore.

State lawmakers are hoping to write and pass the measures by the end of the year.

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-new ... 9397.story

Immigration Plan Draws Fire, Praise
Oklahoma Lawmaker Wants To Deport Children Of Illegal Immigrants
POSTED: 6:39 pm CDT April 29, 2010
UPDATED: 6:55 pm CDT April 29, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma residents are speaking out about one state lawmaker's suggestion about strengthening the state's law against illegal immigration.

Republican Rep. Mike Christian said he wants to deport people who are in Oklahoma illegally, including children who are born in the United States to undocumented parents.

He said he modeled it after the controversial law recently passed in Arizona, but took it a step further. The Arizona laws gives police the right to question anyone who they suspect may be an illegal immigrant and allows citizens to sue officers who don't.

Christian's plans have sparked a strong reaction on both sides. Some lawmakers have said the law is perfect for Oklahoma. Others said it's the most un-American proposal they've ever heard.

"We are witnessing now the legalization of racism," said Juan Miret of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

"You know we've heard of driving while black. We've heard of flying while Muslim. Certainly, this amounts to breathing while brown," said Chuck Thornton of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"This is not just a racial profiling of immigrants," said Anthony Douglas of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. "This is racial profiling of American citizens."

At a naturalization ceremony for 97 new American citizens on Thursday, some people said they don't find Arizona's law unreasonable.

"I've lived here in the United States since I was 18 or 19," said Mary Wittman. She said she emigrated from Newfoundland and has carried her green card with her for more than 50 years.

She said people who arrive in the U.S. from other countries should do the same thing.

"They should get the green cards or get the citizenship," Wittman said.

She said it may be a lengthy process, but the effort is worth it.

The ACLU said that if Oklahoma lawmakers propose an immigration bill modeled after Arizona's, the group will do everything in its power to fight it.

Supporters of the idea said they hope they're able to propose the new immigration bill this session.

http://www.koco.com/news/23312932/detail.html

Shut up ACLU. You're pathetic. You've become a joke. You're a caricature of yourself. Why don't you save your breath, and just turn on a tape recorder when you want to speak: "Thats racism..... RACISM..... violation of civil rights..... racial profiling..... RACISM..... xenophobia..... right wing fringe.... RACISM......" Rewind tape: "racial profiling.....RACISM...."

"We are witnessing now the legalization of racism," said Juan Miret of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The fact that there is a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is, in my opinion, racist. They only support business owners of a certain race. Where is the ACLU in that?

I wish just one news agency would call this bill what it truly is. a law against Sanctuary policies anywhere in AZ.