Controversial Oklahoma immigration bill heads to the Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House on Thursday passed a controversial illegal immigration bill which is expected to draw a legal challenge.

The vote was 77-20.

House Bill 4156, by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, heads to the Senate for consideration. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, is the Senate author.

The bill would create a new crime called “impermissible occupation” for willfully entering the state without legal authorization to be in the United States.

The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one year in the county jail and a fine of up to $500 or both. The person would be required to leave the state within 72 hours.

A second offense is a felony with up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

Republicans said the law was necessary to protect public safety. Republicans also put the blame for the crisis at the border on the Biden administration.

Democrats said the measure was political, could result in profiling, would break up families and result in job vacancies in critical areas. 

Democrats’ efforts to amend the measure failed.

House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said nothing in the bill would allow for racial profiling.

He said jobs held by illegal immigrants would be filled by people who are in the state legally.

Echols said he is certain the measure will be challenged in court.

“This bill is strictly political,” said Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, adding that it is focussed on “campaign messaging.”

He said the bill will create distrust of police resulting in a reluctance of people to help law enforcement solve crimes.

“I’m the proud son of immigrant parents,” he said.

Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, said a nation has a right to have borders.

“We must return to the rule of law,” Olsen said.

He also took issue with the phrase “undocumented immigrant,” adding that a person who drives without a license is not called an “undocumented driver.” A person who practices law without a license is not called an “undocumented attorney,” Olsen said.

Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D- Norman, said it was reprehensible to introduce such a law, adding that it will have consequences.

Separation of families creates trauma, he said.

Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, blamed the Biden administration for the crisis at the border.

“This has gone on too long,” he said.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said Republicans continue to back “extremist legislation” instead of good policy.

The measure is selling people false hope and false solutions, she said.

Echols called the measure a common sense piece of legislation.

“I am not willing to do nothing,” he said.