http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=5424418

Senators hold meeting on illegal immigration costs

OKLAHOMA CITY State officials said today that more than 26-hundred children were born to illegal citizens in Oklahoma hospitals last year.

A state Senate task force is studying the issue of illegal immigration. Senator Daisy Lawler, task force chairwoman, says hospital costs from births make up most of an estimated ten (m) million dollars in taxpayer costs linked to illegal immigration.

Lawler says the statistics reflect an increase in illegal immigration in Oklahoma and how important law enforcement will be in next year's legislative session.

Howard Hendrick, director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, says illegal immigrants don't qualify for programs where eligibility is determined by his agency, including child assistance, food stamps and Medicaid.