Over Two Dozen Bills Target Illegal Immigrants in Oklahoma

KTUL-TV
February 16, 2011

House bill 1804 sparked protests and plenty of debate and fear.

Both illegal and those with papers left the state, but according to the census, the number of Hispanics in Oklahoma nearly doubled in a decade.

Attorney Marvin Lizama worries some people will use those figures to spark fears about immigration.

"Hispanics that are living here, at least based on the figures, 50% of them are here legally," Attorney Marvin Lizama.

However, Rep. Randy Terrill believes at least 40% of the immigrants here are illegal and most are Hispanic. "If the federal government refuses or won't enforce America's nation's laws cracking down on illegal immigration, many folks here at the state capitol in OKC will be happy to step up to the plate and do it for them," said Terrill.

Lizama quick to rebuttal, "In the first two years of Mr. Obama's presidency, more individuals that were here illegally have been arrested, detained, and deported than in the entire eight years of the George Bush Administration."

Oklahoma Legislators want even more, over two dozen illegal immigration bills are being or are currently proposed this legislative session.

They tackle everything from the definition of a U.S. citizen, to education, to who can rent or buy property.

"It's no longer going to be good enough to be here legally. You have to be a U.S. citizen," said Lizama.

However, Terrill says that information likely came from the original write up of the bill.

He says the initial draft will be the corrected in committee and as it moves along.

A process Lizama's determined to fight. "You can not just say we're going to pack and go. We have to stay put, and try tol continue to fight for what's right and fight for justice."

Terrill maintains the legislation proposed is what the and state's citizens want.

http://www.ktul.com/Global/story.asp?S=14045412