Reported by: Krista Flasch
Email: flasch@kjrh.com
Last Update: 6:46 pm

Groups oppose anti-immigration bill in OK
Bishop Slattery's statement (600.9KB)

Tulsa's Hispanic community is speaking out against tougher immigration laws.

State representatives Mike Christian, Rex Duncan and Randy Terrill want to adopt legislation similar to the one Arizona just passed. They're currently drafting a bill they hope to pass by the end of the month.

Critics say Arizona's law allows police to ask documentation from anyone they suspect of being an illegal immigrant, even though that person hasn't committed a crime.

Members of the Hispanic community aren't the only ones opposed to the move. At a press conference Thursday, speakers included Bishop Edward Slattery of the Catholic Diocese, David Bernstein of the Tulsa Jewish Federation and Chuck Thornton with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oklahoma.

Bernstein compares the new law to the events that led to the Holocaust.

"People couldn't walk on the same side of the street with the citizens of Germany and then eventually wore a badge that identified them. They had to carry their papers with them. It all sounds very similar to me," said Bernstein.

After the press conference, Jesse Guardiola, the Tulsa Police Department's Hispanic liaison, explained to 2NEWS how it's affecting Tucson police.

"People will call and say 'There are Mexicans on the side of the street. Can you go check them out? What are they doing wrong? Nothing.' And that's where police officers get pulled away from real crime to deal with wild goose chases," Guardiola said.

Critics say it's the federal government's responsibility to curb illegal immigration. But Duncan says Congress is ignoring the problem.

"It's clear the states have had enough, so nobody should be surprised that southern states are stepping up to look out after their own citizens," said Duncan.

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