Coates Wants Immigrant Guest Worker Plan

From The Tulsa World ~ A Republican lawmaker on Monday filed proposed legislation to create a state guest worker program for illegal immigrants.

Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, said Senate Bill 995 is designed to re-attract workers who may have left the state following the passage of House Bill 1804, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007.

"Since the passage of House Bill 1804, we've seen a mass exodus of undocumented immigrants who have taken up residence in Texas and other surrounding states where they pump millions of dollars into those economies," Coates said. "House Bill 1804 did little more than put Oklahoma companies at a disadvantage by sending dedicated, knowledgeable workers to competing companies in other states. Losing that workforce has been devastating for many of Oklahoma's industries, including agriculture, energy and construction."

Share |