Key provisions
•Criminal penalties for those who bring into Oklahoma and hide illegal immigrants.
•No public benefits to people in the state illegally, except in cases of medical emergencies or emergency aid.
•Main elements focus on determining worker eligibility by screening Social Security numbers and names.
•State, local power to enforce federal immigration law.
What's next
•The measure goes back to the House for consideration of Senate amendments and if approved there, will go to the governor.
State senators voted overwhelmingly Monday for legislation to curb illegal immigration in Oklahoma.
"I guess the first thing I need to say is illegal immigration is an incredibly important issue,” said Sen. James Williamson, the Senate author of House Bill 1804.
The measure goes back to the House for consideration of Senate amendments and, if approved, will go to the governor.
Rep. Randy Terrill, the House author, predicted the House will accept the amendments. "For all practical purposes, this bill is sitting on the governor's desk,” said Terrill, R-Moore.
He urged Henry to sign the bill, which Terrill called "veto-proof” because it passed the House 88-9 and the Senate 41-6.
"Governor Henry supports responsible and effective immigration reform, but he will not pass final judgment on this bill until he has had an opportunity to closely review the final version of the legislation,” said Paul Sund, his communications director.
The bill attracted hot debate.
"I'm afraid we're going to see racial profiling,” said Arthur J. Valdez, president of the local League of United Latin American Citizens.
Williamson said the bill made no distinction of race or color.
Again, opponents in the Senate said the measure was mean-spirited and was a federal issue, not a state one.
The bill sets out criminal penalties for knowingly and willingly harboring illegal immigrants.
The measure would make it illegal to transport an illegal immigrant into Oklahoma or conceal one. Punishment would be not less than a year in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Terrill said a person taking an illegal immigrant to the hospital would not be subject to a penalty under this proposal.
College students whose parents are immigrants and currently pay in-state tuition rates would not be penalized by this bill, regardless of their immigration status.
Williamson and Terrill worked with chamber of commerce representatives who were concerned an earlier version of the bill could have led to lawsuits being filed by disgruntled employees against their employers.
The bill now says that if an employee is fired and believes he has been discriminated against, he can file a complaint with the state Human Rights Commission.
Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, said people in his district want something done about illegal immigration.
Others criticized the bill.
"To me, this amounts to a license to harass,” said Sen. Constance Johnson, D-Oklahoma City.
Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, voted against the bill.
He said construction, agriculture and the energy industry depend on labor. Many pay almost twice the minimum wage and still can't get many employees.
"Senator (Cliff) Branan, your constituents over in Nichols Hills are going to have to learn how to start a lawn mower,” Coates said.
Patricia Fennell, director of the Latino Community Development Agency, said no one knows how this bill will affect agencies like hers that provide services to the Hispanic community.
"We're wondering, and so is every other nonprofit in town. We're not alone in this. I don't think anybody knows or has thought about how toxic this is,” she said.
Wiley Davis of Warr Acres said he was glad the bill passed. He
