Shawnee legislator plans bill that he hopes will help 'Oklahoma redeem itself'

Shawnee Rep. Shane Jett says he isn't a radical. But as one of the only Republican state lawmakers to speak out against immigration reform that went into effect earlier this month, many may see him that way.

Jett, who often doesn't rise in debate on the House floor, spoke passionately against House Bill 1804 earlier this year.

Proposed legislation

Jett plans legislation next session that he said will address the "unintended consequences” of HB 1804. Though the details of the bill still are being worked out, Jett said he would put into place a system similar to a guest worker program, where each illegal immigrant would be assigned an identification number to ensure they are paying the proper taxes. That money would then be captured entirely by the state to pay for any public services the illegal immigrant population is using.

"This is an opportunity for Oklahoma to redeem itself,” he said.

One of those unintended consequences is a reduction in the labor force as immigrants flee to other states out of fear.

Driving these workers further underground will exacerbate the work force shortages Oklahoma is already seeing as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, he said.

"No one set out to injure Oklahoma's economy, but that is what will happen,” he said.

The new law puts the state at an economic disadvantage as viable workers leave, most of whom want to play by the rules but can't because they must hide in the shadows, Jett said.

The number of illegal immigrants in the state is unclear, but based on the 2000 census and federal statistics, 46,000 illegal immigrants lived in Oklahoma in 2000.

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