Fucking nice article, I hope the bill passes. MORE importantly, read the fucking comments, it's time to boot these fuck OUT of our country!
http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/articles/2007/05/02/news/state/news532.txtHouse sends sweeping immigration reform bill to governor’s desk
By Tim Talley Associated Press Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Legislation described as the nation’s most sweeping attempt to deny jobs and public benefits to illegal immigrants was sent to Gov. Brad Henry’s desk Tuesday.
State lawmakers urged Henry to sign the measure into law after it was approved in a bipartisan 84-14 vote by the state House. The bill was approved 41-6 by the Senate last month.
“The people of Oklahoma are very strongly for this bill,” said House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah.
Immigrant groups said the bill is a wrong-headed approach to stop illegal immigration and urged Henry to veto it.
“It’s not going to control immigration. It’s going to create a long-term sour view in the Latino community,” said Ed Romo, vice president of the League of United Latin American Citizens.
“It’s targeting the Latinos, the Hispanics, and nobody else,” said Ed Madrid, state director of LULAC.
Pat Fennell, executive director of the Latino Community Development Agency in Oklahoma City, said the state does not have the authority to supersede federal immigration law.
“It opens the door for all kinds of litigation,” Fennell said. “We’re going to be paying the consequences of this silly bill.”
Henry, who has previously said he believes illegal immigration is a federal issue, has not decided whether he will sign or veto the measure, a spokesman said.
“Gov. Henry supports responsible and effective immigration reform, but he will withhold judgment on this particular bill until he has had an opportunity to review the final version,” communications director Paul Sund said.
The measure contains the toughest state guidelines on dealing with illegal immigration in the nation, said Mike Hethmon, general counsel of the Immigration Reform Law Institute in Washington.
Lawmakers in Oklahoma and other states have proposed immigration bills because of the federal government’s failure to control the flow of undocumented immigrants, now estimated at 12 million nationwide, Hethmon said.
The Oklahoma bill builds on measures passed by other states but has a stronger focus on deterring unauthorized employment, he said.
“It lays the foundations for state and local action in a very broad scope of public activities,” Hethmon said.
The legislation addresses the root cause of illegal immigration — exploitation of illegal immigrant labor, he said. Among other things, the bill contains employment, labor law and civil rights provisions to protect citizens and legal immigrants who lose their jobs at companies that employ illegal immigrants to perform the same or similar work.
“Stealing American jobs is now a civil rights violation in Oklahoma,” Hethmon said.
The measure targets employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens in order to gain a competitive advantage. Key elements of the bill focus on determining worker eligibility, including technology called the Basic Pilot program, which screens Social Security numbers to make sure they are real and that they match up with the person’s name.
Created by the federal government to verify the eligibility of government employees, use of the program is mandated in Georgia, said the author of the Oklahoma legislation, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore. It is free to employers who voluntarily sign up, he said.
Public agencies will be required to use the program beginning Nov. 1 and private companies by July 1, 2008.
Mike Seney, senior vice president of operations for The State Chamber, a business and industry group in Oklahoma City, said the group initially opposed the bill but took a neutral position after changes were approved in the Senate.
The changes widened so-called “safe harbor” provisions that allow employers to avoid sanctions for hiring undocumented immigrants if they use the Basic Pilot program and other methods to verify worker eligibility, Seney said.
“All of that goes out the window if you are participating in one of these safe harbor areas,” he said.
Terrill said the measure would limit state driver’s licenses and identity cards to citizens and legal immigrants and would require state and local agencies to verify the citizenship and immigration status of applicants for state or local benefits.
“The land of opportunity is becoming the land of entitlement,” Rep. Rex Duncan, R-Sand Springs, said while debating for the bill.
The measure would not affect emergency medical and humanitarian services, such as visits to hospital emergency rooms and enrollment in public schools, that are required by federal law.
Terrill said the Federation of American Immigration Reform estimates that illegal immigrants costs state taxpayers up to $200 million a year in public benefits and other resources.
“We have several thousand illegal aliens coming across our border every day,” Terrill said. “It is a situation that is not sustainable or desirable.”
Here are the comments
Mexifornia wrote on May 03, 2007 5:10 PM:"Fight Oklahoma! Don't let your state be taken over by these illegal moochers! I've seen neighborhoods completely taken over once they start moving in. Southern California is more than half Hispanic. And they refuse to learn English. If you don't put a stop to it now, you'll be outnumbered in 15 years. I know...I've seen it happen here!"
DannyAlabama wrote on May 03, 2007 5:09 PM:"Oklahoma may be firing the first shot of 50 to be heard. I hope Alabama will not be far behind. The illegal immigration problem can be solved by electing people that want to do something about it. The American citizens may have to have a day to rally where we all declare a day to not go to work and just protest to the government that we are not going to take this anymore."
Lulu bell wrote on May 03, 2007 5:07 PM:"Our taxes pay for teaching English to illegal children, including anchor babies; when are our taxes going to pay for teaching Spanish to our legal children so that the legal citizens,, have a chance to get one of those jobs where BI-LINGUAL is a requirement? Look at these jobs: bank tellers, health workers, school teachers etc."
don wrote on May 03, 2007 5:04 PM:"about time something is happening.. our governors are gutless lieing wimps and we need to override them. two-faced perry has his tail between his legs here in texas. go Oklahomans, GO!!!"
Will wrote on May 03, 2007 5:02 PM:"If we are going to start to crack down on illegal immigration, then we also need to crack down on illegal business practice. There are many registered businesses that hire undocumented immigrants and pay them below the state minimum wage. Where did the sense of American business ethics go? Undocumented immigrants come for soley one purpose, to work and send money back home. History shows that a guest worker program (research the Brasero Program if interested) is a flawed program that violates human rights, very un-Christian."
Let the truth be known... wrote on May 03, 2007 5:01 PM:"To all you who claim that the illegal aliens are bring America down. 300mil people in the us and only 15mil are illegal. That's 5%. That makes the other 95% pathetic that they can't keep America the country what it is. It's easy to blame a few for the downfall of this country, instead of the lazy, pathetic LEGAL Americans that you have become. Get a life and quit taking things for granted and WORK to make this country better again. Quit buying your lazy fat kids video games and make them exercise. The educational system isn't a failure because of these immigrants, it's because you people have gotten lazy and don't care about educating your kids, but instead you put them in front of a tv and ignore them. Try being parents once in a while and get involve with their school instead of being self abosorb with you want. 95% and you can't make it work. There is where the shame lies."
SoonerDave wrote on May 03, 2007 4:55 PM:"Thanks to all who are praising OKlahoma for it's legislature's tough stand on immigration. It's not politically correct to tell illegals they don't belong here. That said, please know that we have a weak-willed Governor who rode to office with promises of educational riches with a lottery that has provedn to be just short of a fraud - generating barely 25% of the revenue that was promised during election season. His hands are tied by a variety of special interest groups, which makes a veto of this awesome immigration bill at least possible. Fortunately, the vote in both houses was more than sufficient to override such a veto. -SoonerDave"
H wrote on May 03, 2007 4:51 PM:"Lance Cargill, will you be our president?"
What out for the revolution.. wrote on May 03, 2007 4:49 PM:"To:JasonUSA What would George Washington and the founding father think, lets see maybe the same thing the indians thought when they were stealing their land like they stole this land FROM MEXICO. Don't like it do you. Tuff......"
maybme wrote on May 03, 2007 4:49 PM:"Pass it, the entire country needs legislation such as this. Due to our government's current failures, I stopped paying federal income taxes a couple years ago. No way I can support misconduct and criminals at any level..."
lin wrote on May 03, 2007 4:44 PM:"I've never been prouder to be a Sooner. Maybe this will keep my kids from getting killed in a hit-and-run by a drunk illegal. Our governor is as liberal as they come, but the people are in charge in this state on this issue. His veto will be overriden. What a great day! "
T.J. of Dallas wrote on May 03, 2007 4:40 PM:" Ok, the bottom line is money. Big business, small business, Our Goverment are all profiting from the illegal workers including the illegals. It is a dominoe effect. We are all guilty of aiding this issue. For example. Large retail chain offers large savings and must buy huge volume to offset thier cost of passing savings on to us the cosumer. Chicken supplier must also recover its cost of discount to Larger retail. Solution, cheap labor!!! Think about that next time you are shopping for the lowest price chicken breast, asparagus, carrots, ribeye......."
rj wrote on May 03, 2007 4:29 PM:"We need more states to do this. The illegal trespassers MUST GO. Go home and fix the country you came from. Stop taking our jobs, our benefits, and our education. Stop trying to turn our country into the one you ran from. If congress think we need these workers, pass a law and bring them in legally. But send all the criminal trespassers out."
Larry in Oklahoma wrote on May 03, 2007 4:22 PM:"I hope Gov. Henry signs this bill We are fed up with the illegals here, a burden on our hopsitals, social programs and schools. There is also a huge problem with the uninsured unlicensed drivers. Sign the Bill Brad!"
W M from Las Vegas wrote on May 03, 2007 4:21 PM:"It's about time! Go Okies!"
geo wrote on May 03, 2007 4:20 PM:"Lets follow the law. I am an American. I migrated to this country and became an American. I learned the language and am proud to be an American. I have family members who are waiting to enter the country legally and have been waiting for years. I support tough illegal immigration bills. Call your state representatives and let them know you support tough illegal immigration bills. "
CloseOurBorders wrote on May 03, 2007 4:07 PM:"Awesome!!! God bless Oklahoma!!! Every state needs to pass the EXACT same legislation since the traitors on "Crapitol sHill" cannot be trusted to defend our Nation's borders OR sovereignty (***Proof - Google "North American Union" or "SPP"). I highly recommend everyone contact your state Congressman and Senator and press them to sponsor similar legislation asap. God bless our Republic!
http://www.numbersusa.com/index "
VJM wrote on May 03, 2007 3:38 PM:"I HOPE AND PRAY THIS BILL PASSES. I FOR ONE AM SICK AND TRIED OF THE ILLEGALL'S THINKING THAT THEY HAVE RIGHTS IN AMERICA. AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMAN TO DO FARMWORK. WE WOULD BE KILLED IF WE TRYED THIS IN MEXICO. I HOPE ALL STATES PASS BILLS LIKE THIS."
LarryJ wrote on May 03, 2007 3:34 PM:"I am from Oklahoma and the illegal immigrant problem is getting worse by the day. I sure hope this bill passes because I do not want this great state to end up with the problems like Texas or California has."
mark wrote on May 03, 2007 3:33 PM:"Oklahoma has an American Indian population that is a large part of the economy."
john smith wrote on May 03, 2007 3:33 PM:"Gee Boys and Girls; The Communists have Mexico for a long time. They are not just a faction, but the Communists. Yeah the same kind of party as Mr Castro's party. Either we go with the flow or we stop it all."
Tony Lehman wrote on May 03, 2007 3:31 PM:"Wow. What an interesting comment string. I posted at 11:56 AM. I am very heartened by Oklahoma. Hope the Governor will sign this bill. Like I said in my post, I'm retired with a medical condition and from time to time have to be rushed to hospital emergency rooms. Here in Texas where I live, there are waiting lines and NO room available when needed for emergency medical treatment, because of government mandated FREE medical care for (illegal) immigrants. If Oklahoma can fix the Illegal problem in their state, then I'll be looking to relocate my retirment years there. Here in Texas, its getting very bad in many ways, but finding good medical care tops the list."
Greg wrote on May 03, 2007 3:29 PM:"Imagine the gall of the elected representatives of legal citizens trying to pass laws that deal with the problems resulting from an uncontrolled presence of illegal persons who have no leagal standing to occupy or derive benefits from living here (unless of course you are an undocumented worker as a nanny for a wealthy celebrity or politico)."
LegalAmericanResident wrote on May 03, 2007 3:29 PM:"This is a sovereign nation. This nation has laws. If you are not a legal resident of this nation, you do not benefit from it or its laws. The end."
All American wrote on May 03, 2007 3:23 PM:"sounds like America's heartland is becoming America's brain, too. I live in Arizona, and it is getting so bad that English is becoming the second language. I am hoping that Fred Thompson will run, so that we have someone with a history of intelligent decisions running the show."
Jose, from Mexico wrote on May 03, 2007 3:20 PM:"Message to Miss Alabamie: Most legal Americans are educated enough to use basic grammar, spelling and punctuation correctly and of this, you seem incapable. Are you an illegal posing as an American? Did you not get free education paid for by the good citizens of the USA? I DID! "
DanOkie wrote on May 03, 2007 3:16 PM:"As a resident in OKC I have seen a lot of jobs going to illegals that Americans wouldn't mind doing. Construction work, Road Work, House painting, restaurants. The farms can do guest worker programs. I used to live by 23rd & Macauther in Oklahoma city, now the whole area is full of illegals. There are a lot of apartment complexes and they all advertise in spanish now (the huge plastic banners out front) and the illegal population in nearly all is 80% plus. South Okc is where the 1980's amnesty crowd lives and you can see first hand that the first generation works, but the second generation joins gangs. It's past time for action. "
Wildone wrote on May 03, 2007 3:16 PM:"25 years ago, that's 25 YEARS ago the prevailing wage in the meat packing industry was $19.50 and hour in 1982 dollars. Today it is $9.50 an hour. I get real tired of hearing that Americans won't take the jobs Mexicans will do. BULL! They won't take them for peanuts however. Here's how you solve the problem. Give these greedy business people one year to get their workforce legal. After that year, for every illegal fine them $50,000. Jobs dry up = Mexican go home. Then maybe the Mexican government will use some of that oil wealth to improve education, infrastructure etc. to the benefit of ALL it's citizens not just the super wealthy. "
H.K. wrote on May 03, 2007 3:14 PM:"The politicians in Washington are blind and deaf when it comes to enforcing the law and when it comes to listening to the wishes of the citizen- majority. If they will not protect our borders they do not deserve your vote. "
Mark--from Arizona wrote on May 03, 2007 3:09 PM:""I don't want to hear about your problems "up there"..we've got problems of our own.""
Imus wrote on May 03, 2007 3:04 PM:"It's a sad day for goat farmers in OK! "
California Kidd wrote on May 03, 2007 3:01 PM:"I hate to tell you people who are wasting their time commenting to this article,nothing is going to happen with the illegal immigration problem as long as you have bleeding heart librals running the Senate and House. No one wants to take the first step with this issue,so go and comment on something else, you're wasting your time. I live in CalMex so I can relate to this issue."
Jackie Virginia wrote on May 03, 2007 2:58 PM:"Always liked Oklahoma;NOW I LOVE IT. Maybe we still have some lawmakers (like the ones in Oklahoma) that still care about America. "
mjs wrote on May 03, 2007 2:58 PM:"I really, truly hope this passes! As a person that lives in New Mexico, I can't even begin to tell you that something needs to be changed. I cannot go anywhere without hearing spanish speaking people. They do not even try to speak OUR language and then they get ticked when we cannot communicate. We have special school programs for them, yet I pay for it. They don't have car insurance, so when they run into me, I have to pay for it. Our "lovely" governor called for a state of emergancy, yet he wants them to stay. We need help here and if OK passed this bill maybe we can all follow suit. Oh and by the way....DO NOT VOTE FOR BILL RICHARDSON....if so our whole country will be little Mexico just like our state had become."
Dana wrote on May 03, 2007 2:57 PM:"Actually, there is nothing Christian about encouraging illegal aliens. The best help is to help them in their own lands clean up their own government and raise their own standard of living. Encouraging people to break the laws, to live under the radar and to leave their families behind is not a Christian viewpoint. That is why I am in favor of investments in Mexico, a controlled guest worker program as needed by America, and closing the border. It is a win-win solution"
It goes wayyyyyyyyyyy longer than that. Click the link to read them all..
