Okla. Senate panel approves tough anti-illegal immigration bill that allows property seizure
OKLAHOMA CITY — The author of a sweeping immigration bill said Wednesday he jokingly suggested Oklahoma erect a wall around the state to keep out residents who are in the country illegally because he's frustrated the federal government won't take action on the issue.
Freshman Sen. Ralph Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, first made the comment during debate on his bill in the Senate Appropriations Committee, which approved the measure on a 9-7 vote. The bill, which now goes to the full Senate, gives law enforcement officers broad powers to question and arrest suspected illegal immigrants and seize their property in some cases.
"I am just absolutely disgusted the federal government continually refuses to not deal with this issue," Shortey said after the meeting. "We're going to protect ourselves first and let other states deal with the problem their own way."
Several members, including Republicans, voiced concern about provisions in the bill that require all employers to verify the citizenship status of their workers and the chilling effect such requirements may have on businesses. Companies that hire illegal immigrants could face stiff penalties, including the suspension of their licenses or criminal penalties.
"What I'm concerned about in this bill and lots of other bills is that we have a tendency sometimes, in our exuberance, to shoot before we aim," said state Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa, who voted against the measure. "When we start doing things like requiring every single business to go through online certification, and then add to that penalties that are criminal, there's pause for concern."
But Shortey, who represents a heavily Hispanic district in south Oklahoma City, said his constituents are upset about illegal immigration and want lawmakers to do something about it.
"When I bring up this issue, people always ask, 'Why aren't businesses being held accountable?' Well, I'm trying to hold them accountable," Shortey said.
Oklahoma passed a strict anti-illegal immigration bill in 2007 that included penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrant workers, but those provisions have been temporarily put on hold while the law is being challenged in federal court.
Oklahoma's State Chamber President Fred Morgan said his group is carefully monitoring several immigration bills, "particularly with regard to any additional mandates that would be placed on businesses."
In a separate bill approved by the committee Wednesday, illegal immigrants who end up in prison in Oklahoma could have their relatives deported if those relatives are receiving state services.
Freshman Republican Sen. Mark Allen of Spiro said law enforcement officers in his southeast Oklahoma district have told him illegal immigrants there are receiving state assistance like food stamps, even though current state law already prohibits that.
The bill passed on a 9-7 vote after language was stripped that would have directed state agencies to determine if relatives of prisoners were receiving state aid.
The bill now heads to the full Senate.
A separate anti-illegal immigration bill passed a House committee earlier this week and is scheduled to be heard on the floor.
