Oklahoma will lose good-paying jobs and face other economic hardships if the Legislature does not repeal portions of an anti-illegal immigration law, construction industry officials warned Thursday.


Employers joined Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, and Rep. Shane Jett, R-Seminole, at a news conference to call for legislation to ease unintended economic consequences of the law, which took effect Nov. 1.

"We will be in the worst depression this state has ever seen if this bill stays in effect," said Jack Gray, head of Standard Roofing Co. of Oklahoma City.

Gray and other representatives of construction companies said they already are having trouble finding workers to complete projects on time because of the law.

"It's created a climate of fear," said Bobby Stem, representing the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors.

Coates wants to repeal a provision that establishes criminal penalties under state law for harboring or transporting illegal immigrants.

He said his legislation will "protect from prosecution employers who hire someone who may not be fully documented" if those employers pay at least double the minimum wage.

Jett is proposing a system whereby undocumented workers can get a state identification card and continue to work in the state if they are not breaking the law and are trying to gain citizenship.

He said his plan would protect an undocumented worker from being deported for a traffic violation.

Jett said state law needs to target lawbreakers and not hardworking families who have become part of the state's social fabric.

Coates said the law would lead to employers leaving the state so they could not find workers.

Mel McGowan of Adullell Roofing said her company is having trouble finding employees since the law took effect. She said most employees of the company in recent years have been Hispanics. She said some of them have been with the company for many years and make over $20 an hour as supervisors.

She said her company also does business in Minnesota and Florida and typically has about 100 workers on the payroll in Oklahoma.

Coates predicted the law would have a devastating effect on agriculture. He said one watermelon farmer recently told him he would not have a crop next year because of the loss of workers.

He criticized the bill's author, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, for proposing to deny prenatal benefits for women who are illegal immigrants. He said the proposal has racial overtones since most undocumented people in the state are Hispanics.

"I think the man has some racist ideas here," Coates said. "Withholding medical treatment for women and their children is simply immoral," the senator said.

Terrill denied having any racist ideas and said the anti-illegal immigration law does not deal with anyone's race or nationality.

"I think the senator's comments are outrageous, insulting and they do a disservice to his cause," Terrill said.

He said he continues to oppose Coates' repeal efforts. "It's pretty clear that House Bill 1804 still enjoys the overwhelming support of the people of the state of Oklahoma. They don't want the bill repealed. They want it strengthened.

http://newsok.com/article/3177803/1196975365