Cargill, Terrill Praise Immigration Bill Passage

House Speaker Lance Cargill and Rep. Randy Terrill today praised members of the Oklahoma Senate for passing a tough illegal immigration bill and predicted it will soon be sent to Governor Brad Henry.

"This landmark legislation recognizes that government first has a duty to those citizens who play by the rules, follow the law and pay taxes," said Cargill, R-Harrah. "We cannot expect others to abide by the law when there are rewards for breaking the law."

"This is a great day for Oklahoma taxpayers," said Terrill, R-Moore. "For too long, the working families of Oklahoma have been forced to subsidize illegal immigration. With passage of House Bill 1804, that will come to an end."

The bill creates the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007. The bill is part of the House Republican majority's legislative agenda and previously passed out of the House of Representatives by an overwhelming, 88-9 bipartisan vote. The Oklahoma Senate approved the bill today with strong bipartisan support on a 41-6 vote.

The bill has the support of two national immigration reform advocacy groups and has been labeled one of the nation's toughest anti-illegal immigration laws. Key elements of the bill focus on determining work eligibility. The measure also contains provisions to ensure taxpayer-supported benefits are made available to American citizens and legal immigrants only. The bill also gives state and local law enforcement officials the power to enforce federal immigration law.

Terrill said he is committed to working with advocacy groups to address any continuing concerns they may have about the new law.

The bill will now return to the House for a final vote before going to Henry for his signature. "After accepting Senate amendments, I sincerely hope that Governor Henry will quickly sign House Bill 1804 into law," Terrill said.

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