HB1804 foes pin hopes on courts
HB1804 foes pin hopes on courts
By The Associated Press
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Published: April 11, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY - Legislative efforts to repeal a contentious anti-illegal immigration law never got much support, so opponents are pinning their hopes on getting the courts to stop implementation of provisions affecting businesses.
"It looks like we are stuck with it unless we can get it thrown out by the federal court in
Oklahoma City," said
Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, who has tried unsuccessfully to push legislation to repeal the law or provisions taking place July 1 that put new requirements on employers.
The
U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups, including chambers of commerce in Oklahoma City and
Tulsa, have asked a federal court in Oklahoma City to intervene.
The business groups contend the
Oklahoma law interferes with federal immigration law. They argue immigration regulation is the purview of the federal government and should not be left to a patchwork of uncoordinated state procedures.
Both sides are awaiting a decision by
U.S. District Court Judge Robin Cauthron in the federal lawsuit. Cauthron could dismiss the suit, as requested by
Attorney General Drew Edmondson, hold a hearing on the merits or issue an order blocking implementation.
Oklahoma Chamber official
Mike Seney said he anticipated the judge will schedule a hearing "shortly."
No matter what the judge rules, an appeal to the
10th Circuit Court of Appeals is expected.
"Whatever happens, it is going to be appealed, but maybe we can get a little relief short term," Coates said.
Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, who introduced the legislation, said even if the judge issues an order delaying implementation of the employer provisions, he believes the law will be eventually be upheld.
Meanwhile, a state judge in Tulsa heard oral arguments on Friday on another lawsuit that contends the law violates the Oklahoma Constitution. The judge did not issue a ruling.
Michael C. Thomas filed the lawsuit in district court in Tulsa.
James Thomas, a law professor and father of the plaintiff, argues the state Constitution forbids the appropriation of money to establish a bureau of immigration.
Terrill said is a misnomer to argue the legislation created a state immigration agency.
The law prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving tax-supported services, requires employers to verify the immigration status of their employees through a federal online program and exposes employers to legal action for hiring unauthorized immigrants in place of
U.S. citizens.
It makes it a state crime to transport or harbor illegal immigrants, a provision causing concern among social agencies that work with the immigrant population.
Earlier challenges to the law filed in Tulsa were thrown out because the plaintiffs lacked legal standing.
Most of the provision of the law took effect last Nov. 1.
Related Topics:
Domestic Policy,
Social Policy,
Political Policy,
Politics,
Business,
Judiciary,
U.S. Courts,
Immigration Policy,
Civil Trials,
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Small Business,
Immigration
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Fourteen House Democrats are taking the federal government to court in an effort to halt construction of the security barrier between the United States and Mexico. It turns out that environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and the Defenders of Wildlife are more concerned over displacing a few animals than in protecting our borders from potential terrorists and the unchecked flow of illegal immigrants, and the Democrats are more than happy to help. Right now as we speak thousands a day and crossing our border. Attacking land owners and US border agents. In some places trash is knee deep, discarded and left to rot. Environmentalist gripe about the border fence and their beloved tortoises and lizards, but not a word about the hills of filth and despondent property owners whose homes have been vandalized.
The Democrats led by Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, Arizona Congressman Raul Grijalva, including eight committee chairs filed a brief with the Supreme Court which calls into question the constitutionality of the DHS waivers. Rep. Charles Sensenbrenner was asked today by Lou Dobbs investigative journalist (CNN) cable news, why are the Democrats, using the courts to stop any further construction of the fence. Sensenbrenner said that they are trying to pacify the Mexican government. Not only are thousands of their countryman being repatriated because of new American immigration laws. They said they are having to house and feed them, and they are not getting the massive remittances going back to families that they have welcomed over many years. Lou said their remittances were more than the cost of petroleum from our neighbor.
Democrats need to think of the massive cost on taxpayers, not that all Republicans are without blame. Many of our politicians are in bed with the special interest groups.
Mr. Rubenstein, a former director of research at the Hudson Institute, a nonpartisan policy research organization, said U.S. taxpayers paid more than $9,000 for each immigrant in the country, a third of whom are believed to be in the U.S. illegally.
In addition, more than 37 million immigrants in the United States, both legal and illegal, cost the federal government more than $346 billion last year, twice as much as the nation's fiscal deficit, according to a report released yesterday. The loss estimates, the report said, included $100 billion in federal taxes lost "from the reduction of native incomes caused by immigrant workers." He also stated that even programs that are not usually associated with immigration, he said, have actually added financial burdens to the taxpayers.
In California Assemblywoman Mimi Walters, a Republican from Oceanside, said illegal immigrants cost California taxpayers an estimated $9 billion each year.
Each and every voter have a substantial interest in the progression and success of constructing the border fence. It will slow the movement of smuggled drugs into our country, restrain millions of illegal aliens many being convicted felons.
All patriot Americans no matter their political affiliation should DEMAND YOUR BORDER FENCE IS COMPLETED! In addition Demand your Democratic representative co-author the SAVE ACT. Go to NUMBERSUSA to read the raw facts.
Keep calling your Congressmen today to co-author THE SAVE ACT! KEEP CONSTRUCTING THE FENCE! Toll free numbers include 18778516437 and 18662200044, or 12022243121 AND REGISTER YOUR OUTRAGE at ongoing efforts to keep our country from enforcing its immigration laws!
Please copy and paste or otherwise freely distribute this information.
More than 10 million immigrants have arrived since year 2000; it is estimated that nearly 6 million are illegal. All told, the group of immigrants now account for 38 million at the moment according to the White House's own census bureau.
America cannot afford to enact another AMNESTY? The ramifications are unthinkable on each states economy? Taxpayers will have to support even more illegal immigrants as the word gets out and millions more will pour into our nation.
Keep calling your Democratic Congressmen today to co-author THE SAVE ACT! Toll free numbers include 18778516437 and 18662200044, or call toll 12022243121 AND REGISTER YOUR OUTRAGE at ongoing efforts to keep our country from enforcing its immigration laws!
Please copy and paste or otherwise freely distribute this information.
YOU CAN PETITION TO COMPLETE THE BORDER FENCE HERE http://www.grassfire.net
On May 1st, 2008
we, the people, begin our
NATIONWIDE BOYCOTT
of
Burger King
This boycott will continue until such time that Burger King, using the Department Of Homeland Security's E-Verify program, verifies that ALL of its employees are legally in our United States. During this undetermined period of time we will not purchase anything from Burger King. We will also encourage friends, family, and acquaintances, and anyone else who is against this rampant, completely unwelcome, uninvited, undeterred, invasion of illegal immigrants, to boycott Burger King. The failure of our Federal Legislature, current administration, and potential presidential candidates, to listen to the rightful demands of us, the people, makes this action ABSOLUTely necessary. Illegal immigrants are an enormous financial burden on taxpayers, costing us even more than the Wars in Iraq, and Afghanistan. They take jobs away from the very people who need them the most. They have ABSOLUTely no right to be in our United States. Be assured, this is "Americans versus Illegal Immigrants;" nothing more; nothing less. Join the boycott at anytime along the way, but once you join in, please stay faithful. Now spread the word and let's get to work. We need to get the word out!