Ethnic group fears HB 1804's economic effect

The state's new immigration law, which is having the greatest effect on Hispanics, also is harmful to the Middle Eastern community, members of the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council said Friday.

Council Chairman Marjan Seirafi-Pour said university and college students and workers who are Arabic, Iranian and Pakistani have reported problems either with their visas or with their jobs.

"They're concerned,” she said.

Dr. Mohammad Karami, a council member, said it makes no sense to pass legislation to drive immigrants from the state.

"We are going to see a huge, huge economic effect,” he said, as businesses find it difficult to find workers. The law could also discourage some businesses from coming to Oklahoma, he said.

Council member Wes Salous said he can understand Oklahoma wanting to make sure immigrants are here legally, but the state could accomplish the same result by issuing work permits.

In his native Kuwait, foreigners can never become citizens, he said, but they are issued work permits that allow them to live and work in the country without having the benefits of citizenship.

Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, the House author of House Bill 1804 who has said he plans additional immigration legislation, and two legislators who are trying to curb some of the bill's provisions, Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, and Rep. Shane Jett, R-Tecumseh, will be invited to talk with council members early next year.

The council hopes to have the legislators meet with them and members of the governor's two other ethnic councils — the Governor's Advisory Council on Asian-American Affairs and the Governor's Advisory Council on Latin American and Hispanic Affairs.