Group fights immigration reform law

By Devona Walker

Published: September 25, 2007

The Latin American and Hispanic Affairs Advisory Council joined the ranks of those questioning the constitutionality of pending immigration enforcement legislation Monday.

The appointed board voted unanimously to send Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry a letter, indicating the state law attempts to supersede federal law.

"Everybody is worried and seriously concerned,” said Guillermo Rojas, a Tulsa businessman, and advisory council member. "This is not just about immigration, this is racism.”

The council also endorsed an ongoing effort to have state Attorney General Drew Edmondson weigh in on whether the Oklahoma legislation is constitutional.

The Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizens Protection Act provides additional stipulations that criminalize both hiring and schooling illegal immigrants.

Oklahoma's new immigration law, largely considered one of the most stringent in the nation, takes effect Nov. 1.

The Tulsa County Sheriff's Department, in an effort to ramp up, recently graduated more than 30 deputies with dual training in immigration and customs enforcement.

"The only one who can stop it now is the attorney general, with his opinion, or a fight in federal court,” Rojas said of the Taxpayer and Citizens Protection Act, adding that he was very pessimistic about Gov. Henry's willingness to get in the fray at this point.

For one, she says it will be impossible to enforce it without racial profiling.

For another, she says, it provides no provisions for federal compensation, in terms of the cost of implementation.

"We are giving up all of our rights in the name of national security,” Wangrund said. "And for some bizarre reason, we are picking on the Hispanics.

"They passed this incredibly unconstitutional mess, without understanding that federal law pre-empts it,” she added.

After dissecting the law, she formally asked Edmondson for a formal review and to issue a public opinion.

Terrill, R-Moore, has said he is convinced Oklahoma's bill is the toughest in the nation.

•Terrill will push for a second round of immigration reform in the next legislative session. Next year, reform efforts will center around making English the official language of Oklahoma through voter referendum.

•Terrill also has said he is confident Oklahoma's law will stand up to judicial scrutiny, and has accused opponents of the law of trying to use the courts to stop something voters want.

Comments