By DEBBIE BLOSSOM World Staff Writer
5/24/2007



Three times as many people who usually attend monthly Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce luncheons overflowed a hotel conference room Wednesday to listen to an overview of the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007 that pertains to immigration reform.

Making the presentation on House Bill 1804 was Elizabeth McCormick, assistant clinical law professor that the University of Tulsa College of Law. McCormick also directs the Immigrant Rights Project, an education program at TU's Boesche Legal Clinic, where law students under her supervision represent noncitizens in immigration matters.

McCormick discussed some changes the new law will bring and the effects it will have on individuals, companies and educational institutions.

The bill, signed by Gov. Brad Henry this month, "is a broadly sweeping law," she said, targeting everything from employer-employee hiring issues, which law enforcement agencies should have control over immigration, who can attend secondary and higher education institutions, and who is eligible for financial aid and medical and family services.

Many sections of the bill "aren't clearly defined," McCormick added, such as whether driving a non-citizen to a job or church or helping a undocumented non-citizen receive emergency medical help would break the law.

What the new law will do, however, "is create hardships for U.S. citizens and impose burdens on employers," McCormick said.

"When it goes into effect Nov. 1, it's hard to say how the law will be enforced," she said. "At this point it's all a guessing game."

Chamber executive director Francisco Trevino said it was vital to have McCormick address chamber members.

"A lot of our members are working in corporations and don't understand the legislation," he said. "Our mission is to educate our members" who can then help friend and family understand the laws.

The impact on business owners looms large, McCormick said.

Employers will need to determine whether new employees are in the U.S. legally through a verification system made available through the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.

It will also be illegal to fire a legal resident and allow an undocumented non-citizen to stay on the job, and employers could be sued for discrimination for that action. They could also have to pay withholding taxes for employees without verifiable Social Security numbers.

"For businesses that rely heavily on government contracts, this could be life changing," McCormick said.

House Bill 1804 has the potential to turn lives upside down, McCormick said.

"Most people don't know about his law and how deeply they can be affected by it," she said.

Chamber officials used this month's meeting to honor two individuals during for their work with the chamber's Small Business Academy, now in its third class session.

Ed Martinez and Mike Ruiz, both with State Farm Insurance Co., were recognized for helping to start the business training classes and for contributing financially so that students can attend free of charge.

"Without them, this program would not be successful," said board member Lori Santiago.

Trevino also announced new events and services, including an expanded Web page that should debut in about two months. Members were encouraged to sign on to receive a monthly chamber newsletter as well as a newsletter specifically discussing immigration issues.

Also, a first-ever business and cultural event at the Performing Arts Center is scheduled June 22.

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