HB1804 Lawsuit Refiled In Tulsa Federal Court

A federal lawsuit challenging House Bill 1804, a state law aimed at illegal immigrants, was re-filed today, this time with additional plaintiffs who say they are facing eviction because of the measure.

U.S. District Judge James H. Payne earlier dismissed the first lawsuit filed against the new law, which is due to take effect next Thursday.

Payne ruled that the original suit's plaintiffs, the National Coalition of Latino Clergy, its Oklahoma affiliate, two churches, a restaurant group and several anonymous individuals, could not challenge the law because they could not show that it had damaged them.

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How Funny Is This?

Tulsa ~ At an informational meeting that was already planned for Monday night at East Central High School, American Dream Coalition President Victor Orta II said the fight against HB 1804 will continue. "We're planning for the long haul, and we've already planned the next step," Orta said through a translator.

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Latinos Seek Emergency Federal Court Action

From The Tulsa World Online ~ The National Coalition of Latino Clergy has filed an emergency motion in Tulsa federal court asking for an expedited hearing in the lawsuit filed Monday in which it and other plaintiffs are challenging House Bill 1804, a strict new state law against illegal immigration.

In the motion filed electronically after business hours on Thursday, the plaintiffs asked for a hearing as soon as possible on its motion for an preliminary injunction. Such an injunction would prevent enforcement of the law, which is scheduled to go into effect by Nov. 1. In their motion, the plaintiffs claim they will suffer irreparable injury unless the court issues an injunction before November 1st.

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Hispanic Group Files Immigration Lawsuit

From News Reports ~ The president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy, Reverend Miguel Rivera, announced in Tulsa Monday that his group has filed a lawsuit against Oklahoma House Bill 1804.

The suit, announced in front of the federal court building, names Governor Brad Henry and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson as defendants.

"The message we are sending to the people of Oklahoma . . . is when things are so difficult, like they are in Tulsa County, there are remedies," Rivera said.

Rivera and others specifically named Tulsa County when referring to the "ethnic cleansing" HB 1804 will cause.

Already, an estimated 25,000 people have left in fear of HB 1804's effects, Rivera said."Stay put, don't go anywhere," Rivera said. "God is on our side. Fairness and justice will be done for our people."

The law, which takes effect November 1st, requires law enforcement agencies to check the immigration status of people arrested for felonies.

Rohit Sharma, local counsel for the coalition, said the group plans to file for an injunction Tuesday, preventing HB 1804 from taking effect.

Tulsa reporters swarm Hispanic spokesman outside the Federal Courthouse in this image courtesy KOTV-Channel 6.

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