Controversial Oklahoma immigration bill sent to governor

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate on Tuesday sent Gov. Kevin Stitt a controversial immigration bill.

The measure passed the Senate by a vote of 39-8.

House Bill 4156 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 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.

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, are the authors.

“Oklahomans elect us to lead, to protect them, their property and make sure that we are safe as a state, and I believe this gives law enforcement those tools,” Treat said.

More than likely the bill will be challenged in court, Treat said.

The measure passed the House last week by a vote of 77-20.

The measure would not apply if the federal government has granted lawful presence in the country, asylum or approved someone for benefits under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) between June 15, 2012, and July 6, 2021, according to the measure.

The measure is not anticipated to have a material impact on the state budget appropriations, according to a House fiscal analysis.

Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, said the bill was overly broad and would have unintended consequences for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

“This is not the Oklahoma Standard,” he said. “This is the opposite of the Oklahoma Standard.”

Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, said the measure will lead to racial profiling.

People will be put in jail because of the way they look, he said.