Thu December 20, 2007
Hispanics feeling heat of enforcement

By the Numbers

•300,000: Number deported in 2007

• 84 percent: Rise in deportations over 2002

•900 percent: Rise in workplace raids between 2002 and 2007.

•7 to 8 million: Estimated number of undocumented workers in the U.S.

•1,562: Number of immigration bills introduced around the country as of last month.

•244: Number of those bills that were enacted.

•$1.6 billion: Budget in 2002 for patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border.

•$9 billion: Estimated cost of building a fence along the southwest corridor of the U.S.

•$1,700: Cost per arrest along the border, as of 2002.

•480,000 to 660,000: Estimated number of illegal immigrants settling in the U.S. between 1990 and 2004.

Sources: Pew Hispanic Center, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Immigration Forum.

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More changes in Oklahoma
While immigration continues to poll as a priority for many Oklahoma voters, the state's current immigration law, House Bill 1804, may change during the upcoming legislative season.
Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, has vowed to introduce legislation to repeal portions of HB 1804. Rep. Shane Jett, R-Tecumseh, plans to introduce a companion bill for a program similar to a statewide temporary worker program, softening the blow of the enforcement-heavy HB 1804.

On the other side, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, plans to introduce what he calls the "Son of HB 1804â€