HB 1804 draws new legal challenge in Oklahoma
ImmigrationUnions, civil rights groups join law’s fight

BY ROBERT E. BOCZKIEWICZ
Published: November 9, 2008

DENVER — Labor unions, immigration advocates, civil rights groups and even the National Center for Lesbian Rights have joined business groups to battle parts of Oklahoma’s illegal-immigration bill.
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In support of arguments made by the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma state and national chambers of commerce, the groups have submitted arguments to the federal appeals court in Denver against employment-related parts of House Bill 1804.

Oklahoma officials have asked the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to restore the provisions U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron in Oklahoma City ruled in June are pre-empted by federal law.

About the issues
Much of the opposition focuses on the part of HB 1804 that requires employers doing business with the state to use a voluntary federal worker verification system. That part of the law imposes penalties on employers who fail to use the "E-Verifyâ€