Senate Panel Passes Property Seizure Measure

Senator Ralph Shortey

The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed a bill that would allow government seizure of the property of illegal immigants if the propety was used in the commission of a crime.

Senate Bill 908 by Sen. Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, sets up criteria for people to be declared "citizens" of Oklahoma.

Shortey said his bill would empower the state to seize property and sell it at auction. The property could range from a vehicle to a home if it were used in a crime, he said. Money derived from the sale of the property would go to law enforcement, he added.

"We are not saying they are less than human," Shortey said in response to a question about illegal immigrants. "What we are saying is they are not Americans and have no rights thereof."

Share |