It turns out the Biden administration is unwilling or at least unable to stop it.
millions of illegal aliens From theft to the United States. Facing the fallout from the federal government’s failure to effectively enforce immigration laws and secure America’s borders, Republican lawmakers across the country are beginning to give states more power to pick up the slack.
Oklahoma is poised to become the latest state to criminalize illegal immigration, assuming Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) doesn’t ultimately side with Democrats and future waves of illegal aliens on this issue. .
invoice
state legislature passed House Bill 4156 Last week, there was 77 to 20 votes Along party lines. The state Senate followed suit on Tuesday, passing the bill. 39 to 8 votes. The bill now goes to Governor Stitt’s desk for ratification.
HB 4156 provides that a person “is an alien and engages in an impermissible occupation if the person knowingly and unauthorizedly enters and remains in Oklahoma without first obtaining legal authorization to enter the United States.” This would require the Sooner State to acknowledge that.
An illegal alien convicted of committing an “unpermissible occupation” has committed a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a term of not more than one year and/or a fine of not more than $500. Additionally, illegal aliens convicted of crimes under the new law will be required to leave the state within 72 hours of their conviction or release from custody.
If a repeat offense occurs, the illegal alien is charged with a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison or more fines. Once again, upon conviction or release, whichever comes first, illegally imported prisoners are sent packing.
The bill emphasizes that all local governments would be prohibited from adopting sanctuary policies that conflict with HB 4156 because the presence of illegal aliens in Oklahoma is a “statewide concern.” There is.
Governor Stitt Said Public Radio Tulsa said last week, “President Biden is not using his weapons to protect our southern border. So, yes, the states are going to make it very difficult for us to come here illegally, and we “rules that we intend to make very difficult to disobey.” ”
“I’m not going to decide right now whether to sign the bill or not,” Stitt said days before the state Senate successfully voted on HB 4156. “There’s too much uncertainty about what’s in the bill. Our team,” he said, “will look at it and consider it.” ”
framing
Republican state senator Tom Woods
Said “I am proud to be a part of this vote to strengthen protections for Oklahomans and crack down on illegal immigration in our state,” the statement said.
“The federal government’s failures in border policy have made it necessary for states to legislate their own laws and develop policies to ensure they know who is coming here and to remove criminal organizations,” Woods said. He continued. “The influx of illegal immigrants is creating a dire situation, increasing illegal marijuana cultivation, narcotics, and organized criminal activity that needs to be eradicated. This bill would require law enforcement to deport criminals. It will provide the necessary tools.”
State Sen. Jessica Garvin (R), the first Hispanic woman elected to the Oklahoma State Legislature, defended the bill and emphasized that people seeking to immigrate to the United States have an obligation to do so legally. .
“My grandparents immigrated to the United States legally from Mexico and went through the naturalization process to become citizens,” Garvin said.
Said In a statement. “Their journey represents a proper path to citizenship, and the vast majority of legal immigrants want others to come here through proper channels as well.”
Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City
blown up The bill suggests it would have been better to provide state IDs or driver’s licenses to immigrants “subject to certain requirements, including payment of state and federal income taxes.”
Brooks echoed a recent suggestion by Denver Democratic Mayor Mike Johnson that undocumented immigrants play a role in providing companies with an exploitable workforce, saying, “Immigrants account for 7% of Oklahoma’s workforce. “Most of them are in jobs in the hospitality industry that are difficult to fill.” , agriculture, construction… Oklahoma has 33,000 undocumented immigrants who pay about $26 million in state income taxes a year, but we’re already facing a labor shortage, and how do we get that $26 million? Will it make up for it?
Oklahoma State Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R)
underlined “The Oklahoma State Legislature is taking the necessary steps to protect its citizens. It would be unconscionable to do nothing, and this bill is the appropriate step to keep Oklahomans safe and uphold the rule of law.” .”
pattern
While Democratic-run states and cities have for years adopted sanctuary laws and policies that conflict with federal immigration law, an increasing number of Republican-run states are adopting laws and policies that are in line with the spirit of federal law. ing.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) ratified Senate Bill 4 in December, making illegal entry into the Lone Star State a Class B misdemeanor and allowing state authorities to deport illegal immigrants. Without intervention from the Biden Justice Department, the law would have taken full effect last month, and the law is now tied up in the court system.
“Four years ago, the U.S. had the lowest number of illegal border crossings in decades,” Abbott said.
Said In a statement. “The reason the number of illegal immigrants was so low was because of four policies introduced by the Trump administration.”
On April 10, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) ratified a bill that would allow state police to arrest and deport certain illegal aliens. “The Biden administration is failing to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk,” Reynolds reiterated.
Republicans in the Louisiana Senate passed Senate Bill 388 earlier this month. If passed and ratified by the state House of Representatives, illegal immigrants caught by local authorities could face up to a year in prison and $4,000 in fines.
State Sen. Valarie Hodges (Republican)
I got it. “In this age of invasion, it is imperative that we as a nation protect our people from the crime, drug, and human trafficking that comes with open borders.”
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