A federal judge today blocked enforcement of employer-related provisions of the state's controversial immigration law, ruling it likely interferes with federal regulations regarding the hiring of unauthorized workers.
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Several business groups challenged House Bill 1804 — which has been called the toughest immigration statute in the nation — in federal court in Oklahoma City.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The State Chamber, the Oklahoma City and Tulsa chambers of commerce, and the Oklahoma restaurant and hotel and lodging associations contend the law places unreasonable burdens on businesses, according to the lawsuit filed Feb. 1 by the National Chamber Litigation Center.
"We applaud the court's decision to delay enforcing these portions of Oklahoma's immigration law," said Robin Conrad, the center's executive vice president. "Through harsh civil penalties, the Oklahoma law unfairly shifts the burden of immigration enforcement from government onto the backs of businesses.
"Piecemeal state legislation is not the answer to our nation's immigration problems."
The groups' lawsuit still is pending in federal court in Oklahoma City, even though U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron agreed to halt enforcement of a provision of the new law that would have required companies to verify the eligibility status of all new employees.
That provision was set to go into effect July 1.
The law’s author, State Rep. Randy Terrill said he was disappointed but not surprised the judge’s ruling.
“Obviously the outcome is not what we had hoped for,” Terrill said. “But she is perhaps the most liberal judge sitting in the Western District. This is the most blatant act of judicial activism. She is clearly acting more like a legislator than a judge.”
Terrill did not argue the merits of the case, but said the judge should have dismissed it on standing. He said if the lawsuit against the employment section of HB 1804 is successful, he will appeal.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson issued this statement: “This is a preliminary injunction, not a final ruling. In her order, the judge writes that ‘the Court finds Plaintiffs have established a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of the case.’ We will attempt to overcome this hurdle when the matter is set for hearing on the permanent injunction.”
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Why won't the Daily Okie Dokie provide a list of the names of all businesses that demand the right to hire illegal invaders? They must be so proud of getting their ruling that they want all Oklahomans to know who they are.
Your are wrong das, there is a lower life form. If you don't know what that is, it must be you. Have you heard the phrase "bottom feeder"? Look up.
Thoughtful, Oklahoma City - Jun 6, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Me thinks Jose is as imitation as a three dollar bill. I also think He will never make it as a comic. Misspell the easy words then correctly spell some slightly more difficult. I wish I could go to Poteau. Not to see Jose; just to fish in the river, but; can't do that anymore.
Jose. The judge changed nothing in the law. She just made the obvious ruling that it could/should be reviewed as to its Constitutionality. If I read You correctly, You are just as aware of that as I am. What University did You attend?
An employer is not required to enforce immigration law by simply requiring the prospective employee to show proof of citizenship. This is a requirement for every prospective employee, unless of course the employer is trying to avoid matching social security, workers comp, unemployment insurance and all of those other pesky things that are required of employers.
I do not think that is what the judge said, jose. No matter. The states are required to follow federal law, they cannot make their own laws contrary to federal law. 5 generations of my family were born here and I spent 45 years in the work force. I have never had a job where I was not required to prove I am a citizen of the United States of America.
Judge Cauthron issued an opinion and it is temporary. So don't celebrate too much yet.
The bill has not been dropped. It will be upheld by the Supreme Court. It has only been delayed. If they are illegal, they must leave. It will be cheaper to send them back than to support them here. There shouldn't be a wall at the border, just snipers. GO HOME, YOU ARE NOT WANTED HERE. WE OWE YOU NOTHING.
Andrew, are you being serious when you wrote: "we should embrace those who have struggled to make it here and help naturalize them." Are you saying we should reward law breakers? Are you saying we should tell the ones that are doing things the right way (legally), that they don't have to do that anymore, these people who broke the rules are allowed to step to the front of the line?
Ya! The court sided with BIG business. They continue to screw us by hiring illegal aliens for low wages. When business can't hire illegals because of high fines, the workers will go away. This is exactly what we do need. The federal Government has never been able to do anything well. Imagration is just one of thousands of things.
The problem I have with 1804 as a conservative is that I don't want to waste a lot of tax dollars fighting "innovative legislation" in federal court. We need to push our federal reps to do what's right. Immigration is broken. We're still flood with illegals, while men who have lived here and even begun families over ten-14 years have been deported while their citizen wives and children have to go on assistance. Find the average "coyote" fee and charge that for background checks and processing. Left over money could be used to enforce the border. The only thing worse than the amnesty idea is the status quo. If it's broken, fix it, and where it's broken, in DC!!
In the words of the late Johnny Carson "may the Hotel Hell Bedbugs invade your beef-jerky"! I don't know he really said that however he could have. Terrill and Co. need to stand in line at a hotel waiting on rooms to be cleaned at midnight waiting so they can be handed a key. May their side of beef arrive at their dinner table four hours after ordering. When you chase the last Mexican out you have to ask "whose going to fill their shoes"? I've seen an Oklahoma High School graduate, they can't do the jobs that the southern amigo's can. The average female graduate in Oklahoma has been described as someone whose gone through an abortion, been through three husbands and is left alone with at least one child by the time she reaches age 24. I want a clean hotel room, affordable steak correctly cooked and served and maybe a touch-up detail job on my car. Your not going to get that from those left behind (Okla.‘s teen and young adults). Face it if you want decent service, forget about visiting Oklahoma you have to go to Mexico
Bill; Terrill is an elected legislator. He does not have to be a lawyer. Since he is a lawmaker, his opinion does mean squat. Therfore; I think it is you and the judge who are idiots.
RICK - Its a good bet most opponents of 1804 are members or owners of restaurant or hotel associations. The very same people who cry about racism are the very same who cry the loudest when they, or someone they know are victims of an illigal alien crime or theft. I seriously doubt they leave their homes and businesses wide open whether they are there or not - yet have no problem when its their country thats invaded.
Read your history, many of the people who jumped the gun in the land rush were shot or arrested. Is that that the solution? I think not. Not one post here has said they hate Mexicans. They hate law breakers. That is exactly what they are, not illegal immigrants. If you want to work in this country and not be a citizen that is ok by law, just do it the legal way. Why in the world would some one leave a third world corrupt country and then try to force their culture, language and customs on us. Isn't the definition of insanity doing the same thing in the same way without positive results? They have allowed their own country to become so corrupt that it is almost impossible to live there and now they come and refuse honor our customs and force their language on us. I am sick and tired of having to push 1 to hear my own language. As for the citizens here that refuse to work at these jobs, cut off their welfare make them get a job.
Thoughtful, Oklahoma City - Jun 5, 2008 at 9:06 am
I was going to post a comment but I see there is only one person doing all the posting, just using different names to post under.
Have fun you sicko. Just keep talking to yourself and your imaginary people.
Folks, just to weigh in here, I consider myself fairly liberal on a lot of issues, and I have also been a food service worker for just shy of thirty years. A whole lot of the nation is earning barely above susbsistence wages. The average cost of living has risen over ten times since 1973, while the average wage has risen less than three. As an experienced cook, and former chef who has been on my current job for about a year I'm paid right under ten dollars an hour. While more competition for the culinary jobs hasn't helped, the real problem is the government allowing big business to farm all the more profitable blue-collar work overseas, leaving a plethora of applicants (legal or otherwise)to vie for my position. Add to this the sky-rocketing cost of living right now and you get one heck of a mess. Let's quit focusing so much attention on immigration issues and instead turn the lens on the government that is increasingly making the "land of opportunity" a reality for only the wealthiest twenty per cent of the population.
I agree. Illegal immigrants make up a significant part of economy. you cant just ship them back. that will cost a lot of money and a lot jobs. we should embrace those who have struggled to make it here and help naturalize them.
How ironic that Terrill is pictured wearing a Sooners hat! Doesn't he realize the Sooners were the illegal immigrants that founded our beautiful state. Xenophobic politicians should leave our Mexican friends alone. They (the immigrants) are the new Sooners!
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Judge Cauthron issued an opinion and it is temporary. So don't celebrate too much yet.
Have fun you sicko. Just keep talking to yourself and your imaginary people.