Outrage Voiced Over DOJ's Threat To Penalize Oklahoma If 'Official English' Approved; Terrill Says It's 'Abusive...unjustified...an intrusion'

U. S. Attorney General Eric Holder's Department of Justice has threatened Oklahoma with a loss of federal funding if voters approve an "Official English" constitutional amendment in what's being characterized as an outrageous attempt to intimidate citizens of Oklahoma.

'We will not be blackmailed'

Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, ardent supporter of the measure and a crusader against illegal immigration, told KTOK's Reid Mullins this morning he was "incredibly surprised" by the letter and its contents. He said the attack on Oklahoma appears to be unprecedented.

Terrill said he's curious what "triggered the letter." He said the letter is "abusive...unjustified...an unwarranted intrusion" into the affairs of the state.

"Can the federal government tell a state what to do?" Terrill asked, while saying it can not.

“Absolutely appalling, it is outrageous, it clearly constitutes a threat.

“It is abusive and singles out the state of Oklahoma and therefore is unjustified and an intrusion into the sovereignty of the state of Oklahoma.

“My message would be simple—the federal government needs to get its nose out of our business," Terrill added. "We will not be blackmailed. We will not be intimidated. We will not be extorted.”

Members of the state's congressional delegation sent a letter to Holder seeking justification and clarification for the letter, from the Department of Justice, sent to Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

"It is entirely unacceptable for the federal government to try to strong-arm the state by threatening to remove federal funding,'' Republican Senator Jim Inhofe said.

In the letter, Inhofe and other members of the state's delegation also stated that the letter to Edmonson was "dubiously timed'' at the peak of the debate over the issue.

"We find it extremely disconcerting that the State of Oklahoma has been targeted,'' the delegation wrote.

Citing a Supreme Court ruling that speaks to such "unprecedented intrusion" by DOJ, the lawmakers also asks Holder to explain what triggered the letter. They also cite similar laws passed in other states.

"Have these states, or any of the dozens of states, cities and counties with official English policies, been accused by the Department of Justice to be in violation ... or formally threatened with funding termination?" they asked.

The letter also was signed by Senator Tom Coburn; Republican Reps. John Sullivan, Frank Lucas, Tom Cole and Mary Fallin, and Democrat Dan Boren.

The DOJ etter advises Edmondson that "implementation of this [English-only] amendment may conflict with Oklahoma's obligations to protect the civil rights of limited English proficient (LEP) persons."

Dated April 14 from Acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King, the letter states, "As you know, recipients of federal financial assistance must comply with various civil rights statutes, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964…which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin."

The letter continues, "State agencies and other entities in Oklahoma that receive federal financial assistance thus would be precluded by federal law from abiding by an English-only requirement where it conflicts with their obligations under Title VI."

The congressional delegation's letter to Holder points out that several other states have passed similar legislation and asks if they too have been "accused by the Department of Justice to be in violation with Title VI, or formally threatened with funding termination."

The delegation letter asks for an explanation for what prompted the DOJ to write the state of Oklahoma on this issue and seeks explanation for what funds would be eliminated should Oklahomans pass the English only amendment.

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