Oklahoma immigration law may force court challenge


Associated Press - August 8, 2007 11:45 PM ET

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A national Latino coalition is threatening to challenge Oklahoma's sweeping immigration law before the measure goes into effect on Nov. 1.

The Rev. Miguel Rivera is president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian eaders. Rivera says the group may challenge the measure in federal court as soon as Oct. 1.

Rivera also says the group's planning an Oct. 1 rally against House Bill 1804 on the steps of the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City.

Officials say the group's lawsuit will likely argue that the state's law unconstitutionally pre-empts federal immigration law.

Among other things, the state immigration legislation, adopted by the Legislature last spring, creates barriers for undocumented immigrants to receive public benefits and jobs.

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