Signs hit at state's new immigration law

by: BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
8/2/2007 11:01 AM
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article. ... hTheb68627

The billboards' sponsors say the intent is to humanize the result of the law for families.

Two billboards along Tulsa's busy stretch of Interstate 44 were unveiled Wednesday to raise awareness of the opposition to Oklahoma's sweeping illegal immigration law that will take effect Nov. 1.

One, sponsored by the United Front Task Force and facing west near Memorial Drive, asks, "Is it OK for Oklahoma to have a law that promotes hate among people?"

The other, sponsored by the American Dream Coalition and facing east near Sheridan Road, features a tearful girl clutching a teddy bear with the statement, "My mommy is not a criminal. She is a hardworking Hispanic woman."

The groups hope the two billboards soon will be followed by many others.

"We want people to know that families will be torn apart by this legislation," said the Rev. Victor Orta II, president of the American Dream Coalition. "I am for the enforcement of our immigration laws, but there needs to be legalization for families who have been here a long time."

The Rev. Luis-Carlos Sanchez of the United Front Task Force said Tulsa was chosen for the billboards over Oklahoma City because of the friction here.

"Unfortunately there's a high-level of discrimination taking place," he said. "People are living in constant fear."

State Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, the author of House Bill 1804, said critics fail to understand the intent of the law.

"This isn't about whether you are for or against immigration, or for or against immigrants," he said. "It doesn't matter what your skin color is or if you speak with an accent.

"What matters is if you are in the country legally or illegally. The only people threatened by House Bill 1804 are those who choose to break the law."

The law will eliminate most taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigrants, allow state and local law enforcement officers to verify immigration statuses of those arrested and crack down on businesses that employ illegal immigrants, among other measures.

Terrill said the two Tulsa billboards will not affect the new law taking effect.

"It doesn't matter if opponents put up two billboards or 200, that won't change the fact that House Bill 1804 is the law and will be enforced beginning Nov. 1," he said.

A "Say No to 1804 Legal Defense Fund" has been established by the United Front Task Force.

Terrill said the law will be defended in court, if necessary.

"I'm 99.9 percent confident that this bill will withstand any legal challenge brought against it," he said.

"House Bill 1804 is not preempted by federal law. It does not exceed the scope of state authority in this area and is designed to sync perfectly with federal immigration law."

Terrill has called for the donors to the fund to be publicly identified.

Sanchez would not disclose the United Front Task Force's funding sources, even concerning the billboard, saying attorneys are reviewing that issue.

In a news release, supporting organizations of the group's billboard were listed as the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations, Jewish Federation of Tulsa and Tulsa Interfaith Alliance.

Also cited were the Tulsa Indian Coalition Against Racism, Islamic Society of Tulsa, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries, Pastors for Peace, YWCA Tulsa, Tulsa Urban League, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Oklahomans for Equality.

Representatives of many of those organizations were at the event about the signs.

David Bernstein of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa was one of the speakers at the news conference.

"HB 1804 seems to be designed to make life miserable for thousands of immigrants and promotes mistrust toward all immigrants, including those here legally," he said. "It also fuels racism and discrimination against all Latinos."

Terrill said many of the groups in question are nonprofit and therefore tax-exempt and could be jeopardizing their tax-exempt status by engaging in prohibited political activity.

"These groups are walking a very fine line," he said.

The money for the American Dream Coalition's billboard, amounting to roughly $3,700 to put it up and $1,600 per month thereafter, has been raised over months by individuals and names will be released if legally necessary, Orta said.