Thread: City prepares to deal with new immigration law

SATURDAY OCTOBER 13, 2007
Last modified: Sunday, October 14, 2007 12:00 AM CDT
City prepares to deal with new immigration law
By Steve Ray Linam E-E Staff Writer

The Bartlesville [Oklahoma] Police Department is bracing to deal with tougher state legislation regarding illegal immigration.

Provisions of the new law include allowing the city to issue identification cards to citizens, residents and legal aliens, as well as verify and report findings to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In a memo to city staff and City Council members, interim Police Chief Tom Holland indicated that House Bill 1804 could affect the police department and City of Bartlesville. The bill was originally passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate and signed into law by Gov. Brad Henry.

“We are in untrod territory,â€

TUESDAY OCTOBER 16, 2007
Holland reports on new immigration law

By Steve Ray Linam E-E Staff Writer

The Bartlesville City Council received a report last night on how a state immigration law, billed as one of the nation’s toughest, will affect the city.

House Bill 1804, passed by the Oklahoma Legislature, targets illegal immigration, identification cards and dealing with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Interim Police Chief Tom Holland elaborated on details of the legislation, pointing out how it will affect Bartlesville.

The legislation mandates that communities must cooperate with federal immigration authorities and pass no policy or statute that would impede such cooperation.

Holland noted there are communities in the nation that have mandated local authorities may not cooperate with authorities.

“We do have a lot of legal aliens that pass through the community. We have the right to issue a car to show they are here lawfully.â€