Coates Wants Illegal Immigrant Work Program

A Republican lawmaker on Monday filed proposed legislation to create a state guest worker program for illegal immigrants.

Senator 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."

Read the entire story at www.tulsaworld.com.

Share |

Share |

Immigration Law Poll: Majority Favor It

A majority of those who have voted thus far in TMRO's poll on the new immigration law favor it; 59 percent want it left alone, while 20 percent want it changed and 21 percent want it repealed. Voting continues. If you've not yet shared your opinion, the poll is at right.

The Oklahoma Political News Service, which has waged a campaign for the law, conducted a weekend poll, asking "Is HB1804 (the immigration law) good for Oklahoma?" With about 300 votes cast, about 68 percent said Yes, 31 percent said No and about 1 percent said they are Undecided.

Share |

Henry: Let HB1804 Lawsuit Run Its Course

By Jim Myers, Washington Bureau, Tulsa World ~ Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry said Sunday that the state should allow a lawsuit against a controversial immigration law to run its course before attempting to change it.

"I certainly think we need that direction from the court," said Henry, who signed the measure, House Bill 1804, into law last year.

The governor also said he plans to stay out of what is expected to be a major media campaign to persuade state officials at least to delay parts of the law.

Read the entire story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectID=12&articleID=20080225_1_A1_World02077.

Share |

U. S., Local Chambers Seek Immigration Law Block

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is asking a federal judge to block Oklahoma's anti-illegal immigration law, claiming it interferes with federallaw that regulates the employment of unauthorized workers.

The U.S. Chamber challenged the constitutionality of the state law Friday in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Oklahoma City.

The State Chamber of Oklahoma, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the Tulsa Metro Chamber and other business groups joined the lawsuit.

Share |

Hamilton Tees Off On New Immigration Law

State Rep. Rebecca Hamilton says today the state's new immigration law isn't sending Hispanics running for the border, but she still wants to enact a new law that would repeal parts of the present law and punish large corporations that exploit immigrant workers.

The Oklahoma City Democrat said, "There has been too much invective, blaming and name-calling where this issue is concerned. That kind of behavior damages our community and encourages legislators to vote for bad laws that don't help anyone. I hope that this bill will begin a conversation focused on finding positive solutions that build our state and that avoid abrogating the human rights of any of our residents.

"The influx of illegal immigrants into Oklahoma is a symptom of larger problems. If we don't address the causes of illegal immigration, we will never be able to deal effectively with it. Illegal immigration is in large part a direct result of the failure of United States corporations operating south of the border to be good corporate citizens in those countries. Legislation that tries only to punish people and pit one group of low-income workers against another doesn't help the problem. In fact, it makes it worse." said Hamilton.

House Bill 3067, by Hamilton, would repeal portions of the law approved last session to address illegal immigration problems (House Bill 1804) - a law many critics argue is anti-Hispanic. Hamilton said her bill would instead target the primary cause of illegal immigration, the exploitation of immigrant workers by large corporations, instead of targeting poor people whose lives are already a financial struggle.

"Every country has the right to defend its own borders, but Oklahoma's current immigration law doesn't do that," Hamilton said. "We need to go after those who profit off illegal immigration both here and in other countries."

Hamilton said her House Bill 3067 would make it illegal for the state of Oklahoma to contract with any company that has closed American facilities and opened new factories outside the country unless they operate those factories in compliance with United States wage, safety and human rights guarantees. Companies that operate in other countries and do not maintain workplace, labor and minimum-wage standards comparable to U.S. law would also be barred from receiving state contracts under the legislation.

Hamilton, who was one of only nine lawmakers to consistently oppose House Bill 1804 in the Legislature, noted those who claim House Bill 1804 is forcing illegal immigrants to leave Oklahoma cannot base those arguments on hard data. And anecdotal evidence clearly contradicts those claims, she said. For example, although Census Bureau figures indicate more illegal immigrants live in Hamilton's south Oklahoma City district than any other district in Oklahoma, there has been no noticeable population shift since House Bill 1804 took effect. "I can say without equivocation that the people in my district are still here," Hamilton said. "If large numbers of people living illegally in Oklahoma are leaving the state, I would have noticed it."

Share |

Sign Of The Times In South Texas

Share |

Oklahoma's Immigration Law Urged On Congress

State lawmakers from across the country today urged members of Congress to reform immigration law to essentially mirror Oklahoma's new law.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, founder of State Legislators for Legal Immigration, led a delegation that called on Congress to enact laws that prevent illegal aliens from obtaining taxpayer-subsidized benefits and punish businesses that violate the law by hiring those workers.

The group's actions came just one day after a handful of officials in Oklahoma - including businessmen who admit to heavy reliance on illegal alien labor - called for repeal of Oklahoma's immigration reform law, originally known as House Bill 1804.

"While businesses who exploit illegal aliens to depress the wages of working families may not like House Bill 1804, it's obvious that most American citizens support the law," said Rep. Randy Terrill, a Moore Republican who authored House Bill 1804.

"Today's action by State Legislators for Legal Immigration shows we did the right thing in Oklahoma. We can't let the baseless complaints of unscrupulous business owners deter us from upholding the rule of law."

Metcalfe was joined by officials from the Federation forAmerican Immigration Reform (FAIR) and state lawmakers from Arizona, Indiana, Tennessee and Colorado, according to a news release issued bythe group.

According to the group's release, State Legislators for Legal Immigration members have entered into a working partnership with the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) to create a comprehensive package of model "National Security Begins at Home" legislative solutions that any state lawmaker can introduce to effectively shut off all economic attractions and incentives for illegal aliens. That model legislation is largely based on Oklahoma's law, Terrill noted.

Share |

Cargill Puts Brakes On Illegal Immigration Laws

House Speaker Lance Cargill said Wednesday that he thinks a bill to make English the state's official language is about as far as the Legislature ought to go next session in toughening laws on illegal immigration. Fellow Republican Rep. Randy Terrill, who successfully sponsored a stringent immigration reform bill last session, said he wants more laws passed, including one authorizing the seizure of property and assets of people who hire illegal immigrants or knowingly rent property to them. Read all of Tulsa World Capitol Correspondent Mick Hinton's article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071206_1_A13_hAlaw10161.

Share |

Coates Seeks Repeal Of Parts Of HB1804

From The State Senate ~ Over the past few years, the State Legislature has passed right to work and tort reform measures designed to make Oklahoma more attractive to business, but now the state has a law on the books that negates those efforts.

That’s according to Republican Senator Harry Coates, Co-Chair of the Senate Business and Labor Committee and the only Republican in the Legislature to vote against HB 1804. Coates announced he would file legislation to repeal portions of the bill approved during the 2007 session aimed at illegal immigrants.

“I think people in the legislature, the business community, private citizens and churches of many denominations are beginning to realize that this legislation is having an extremely negative impact on our state in many areas,” said Coates, R-Seminole. “I know there are those who felt this measure would not be good for Oklahoma but they supported it anyway because they worried that a no vote would be used against them in the next election. It was the classic case of good politics resulting in bad policy.”

Coates said the bill would likely include provisions to repeal sections of 1804 dealing with the harboring and transporting of illegal immigrants. He said the bill is causing a tremendous hardship for property and business owners alike. In addition, HB 1804 has caused difficulty for churches and humanitarian organizations although many have said they would continue to help anyone who comes to them for assistance. Coates said he would also file legislation to give some relief to businesses offering jobs that pay at least twice the minimum wage, but can no longer fill those positions.

“This law was passed out of frustration with the federal government for not doing their job of closing off our borders and enforcing current laws,” Coates said. “But one of the reasons for lack of movement on a federal level is the fact that tens of billions of dollars flow into government coffers from social security and from W2 withholdings that illegal immigrants do not claim. And regardless of what HB 1804 supporters say, jobs that pay twice the minimum wage are going unfilled because too many American citizens simply won’t do hard, physical labor.”

Coates said since HB 1804 became law last month he has received numerous phone calls from farmers, business owners and contractors.

“They want to know where the replacement workers will come from to fill the jobs resulting from the recent exodus of the immigrant worker and they are angry with the legislature for putting good politics ahead of good policy,” Coates said. “Furthermore, many of the same legislators who claim to champion the rights of the unborn child have flip-flopped when the child is being born to a mother who is here illegally. How can they not see the hypocrisy of their wish to refuse pre-natal care to those babies and their mothers?”

Coates said it was also hypocritical for lawmakers to claim to be a friend to business and then essentially throw farmers and business owners under the bus.

“I do not believe the citizens of this state sent us to the legislature to focus on getting re-elected,” Coates said. “Our job is to provide leadership in creating public policy that will help, not hurt Oklahomans.”

“It is my deepest hope that my fellow members will have the courage to help correct the many problems we’re already seeing as a result of the passage of HB 1804,” Coates said. “I also hope that my legislation will pass with an emergency clause so the bill can become law as soon as the Governor signs it. We need to reverse the damage while we still can.”

Share |

Fallin Calls For Action, Defends Immigration Law

Congresswoman Mary Fallin joined Members of the House Republican Leadership today in calling for legislative action on key issues and defended Oklahoma's tough new immigration law. Republican Whip Roy Blunt and Conference Leader Adam Putnam both criticized the Democrat leadership for failing to send a single spending measure to the President’s desk this year and setting the stage for a fiscal crisis.

Fallin, speaking after Blunt and Putnam, echoed their call for Democrat leaders to seek bipartisan compromise and immediate progress on important issues.

“Almost 50% of our work this year has been naming post offices and federal buildings,” said Fallin. “Those are nice things to do, but its time that we get on with the more important business of this Congress, whether that’s helping American families with the price of gas, lowering their healthcare costs, or strengthening education.”

“One of the things we’ve been frustrated by in Oklahoma,” said Fallin, “is the lack of any real immigration reform. Just last week, the state of Oklahoma enacted an immigration law that is being labeled as one of the toughest in the nation.

“We had to enact that law on the state level because the House has yet to bring a solid immigration bill to the floor. We have yet to secure our borders, provide employers with a way to verify the citizenship of their employees, or punish those employers who knowingly hire illegals.”

Fallin went on to express her disappointment that “Congress has not yet gotten its house in order” and called on Democrat leaders to bring bipartisan immigration reform to the floor of the House.

Share |

Immigration Law Protesters Gather At Capitol

Several hundred people met on the south steps of the Capitol today to protest House Bill 1804, one of the toughest immigration laws in the nation. "This country is not ours, but since we are here, we are going to fight for our rights,” said Isobel Sauceda, an illegal immigrant who came with about 10 other immigrants from work. Some protesters were legal, others were not.

Several state leaders spoke at the rally, including Rep. Al Lindley, D-Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma NAACP President Roosevelt Milton. The crowd, waving American flags, and many holding signs, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the national anthem and stood for a moment of silence.

Share |

Tulsa Arrest Sparks New Immigration Law Debate

A U.S. citizen was arrested under the state's controversial new anti-illegal immigrant law overnight in Tulsa County, an opponent of the law said Thursday. The woman was arrested for transporting her boyfriend, who was an illegal alien, said the Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders. Under the law, which went into effect at midnight, it is a felony to knowingly transport an illegal alien. Read the entire story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071101_1__AUSci58616.

Share |

Federal Judge Clears Way For Immigration Law

A federal judge denied late Wednesday a request by Latino groups to block the implementation of a new state law targeting illegal immigrants, paving the way for the bill to take effect in a matter of hours.

Share |

Tulsa Judge Takes No Action On Immigration Law

U.S. District Judge James Payne in Tulsa has taken no action to prevent the state's controversial anti-illegal immigration law from going into effect Thursday.

At the conclusion of a Wednesday hearing, where opponents of the law had sought a preliminary injunction blocking House Bill 1804, Payne did nothing to stop it from taking effect as scheduled. While Payne could still act up to midnight to stop the law from going into effect, it appears he will not block the law.

Share |

Edmondson Asks Court To Dismiss HB1804 Lawsuit

Attorney General Drew Edmondson today asked a federal court to dismiss the second lawsuit challenging the illegal immigration bill, House Bill 1804, that takes effect Thursday: "The first lawsuit was dismissed because the judge ruled the plaintiffs could not show how they have been harmed by a law that has yet to go into effect," said Senior Assistant Attorney General Sandy Rinehart. "We believe that to also be true of this second challenge."

Share |

Terrill Critics Hurl Racist Label, Defenders Reject It

State Rep. Randy Terrill's effort to halt illegal immigration and his authorship of the state's new immigration law, House Bill 1804, has prompted opponents and some of Oklahoma's liberal bloggers to label him a "racist." As the law's effective date of November 1st drew near this week, the personal attacks on Terrill escalated.

Now, some conservative bloggers are riding to Terrill's defense, arguing that liberals always bring out the "racist" label to describe those with whom they disagree.

Blogger and radio personality Ron Black writes today, "I know and like Representative Randy Terrill and when he comes clean and admits that he is going to run for Lt. Governor, I'll be one of the first to support him. What I cannot understand is what I heard today from one of the representatives who oppose HB1804 - a man told a reporter on KTOK that he believes Randy's motivation was 'racial.' Huh? I know Randy and know him to be a good man who is not racist at all, but rather would like to see Oklahoma tax dollars be spent more efficiently and when it is being spent, that it is spent on Oklahomans who are here legally. To most of us with more than 50 or 60 functioning brain cells, that makes pretty good sense. But to some, to presume that folks here illegally should not receive the same benefits as those here legally is, well, anathema.

"The ones who preach tolerance have again become so very, very intolerant.

"'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.' That, my friends, is where we are heading and this illegal immigration mess is emblematic of a bigger problem that has permeated every fiber of fabric interwoven in our culture.

"This is not a race issue in my estimation, but rather is an issue of fiscal responsibility and trust me, as a card-carrying Republican, we've seen very little fiscal restraint coming from within the ranks of my beloved GOP. One thing about the Democratic Party on a national level - they let you know up front that they want as many tax dollars as they can take from us and they make no bones about it. We, on the other hand, are a little less forthright in our tax-and-spend policies (we keep our wasteful spending secret, behind closed doors).

"To say that Randy Terrill is a racist is as ludicrous as saying that there should be no borders, no set of laws, no civil order. Both propositions are ridiculous on their faces and I am horribly disappointed that once again, we're missing the whole point to begin with: Illegal immigrants (regardless of the color of their skin) are here (get ready for it) illegally."

And this, from the Red Stater blog: "Here is the way debate goes according to those on the left. Ready? Okay. Debate over, accept their claims as fact or else you're a racist.

"While the left proclaims to simply disagree with the President and his policies and seek to only debate the issues, (does that make them unpatriotic?) the exact opposite is what they really end up doing every single time.

"On the war in Iraq: There is no debate. First they were on Bush's side in the war and in spite of voting for the war on multiple occasions Democrats (without any debate on the issue) changed their view, called the President a liar, General Petraeus a liar, our troops murderers and called for immediate withdrawal from Iraq, refusing to discuss the fact that Al Qaeda is even there, that Petreaeus was right, that Bush's surge is working and that the charges against the troops for murder were dropped.

"Democrats refuse to discuss any of these issues, but will call you a racist if you mention radical Islam or Islamo-Fascism or security at the airports.

"Where is the debate?

"On Global warming: In spite of there being more scientists refuting claims of man-made global warming than there are scientists supporting it, Democrats demand that we accept global warming as a fact without any debate whatsoever. When someone does ask for some discussion on the issue (Inhofe) they are dismissed and branded as anti-science...or a racist because the liberals say global warming affects the poor and minorities more than the general population.

"Where is the exchange of ideas?

"On Abortion: Try debating this one with a liberal and see what happens... I dare ya', ...you sexist, racist, woman hater.

"On Healthcare: Hillary knows best, everyone else shut-up (you racists)... there is no debating healthcare, It's for the children, the poor and minorities.

"On taxes: Try and discuss lower taxes and how it stimulates the economy...the answer is always the same...'Rich people hate poor people, you racists.'

"Where is the debate?

"On enforcing immigration laws and the border... 'you racist.' On protecting marriage ... 'you homophobic racist.'"

Share |