CONTACT:
Damon Gardenhire
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Capitol: (405) 962.7679
gardenhire@okhouse.gov

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 1, 2007) – An Oklahoma immigration reform measure called perhaps the most meaningful in the nation is on its way to the governor’s desk after passage by the state House Tuesday. House Bill 1804 passed by a vote of 84 to 14.

HB 1804 also has the support of two national immigration reform advocacy groups, and has been called the single most significant step that any state has taken in this area and one of the nation’s toughest anti-illegal immigration laws.

"This breakthrough legislation represents the clear will of the people of Oklahoma. It is a strong reform measure that is a major step in the right direction," said Speaker Lance Cargill (R-Harrah). "We have a duty to uphold Oklahoma’s rule of law. Illegal immigration is a hidden tax on hardworking families in this state. It’s costing us hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The federal government has ignored the problem. It’s time for us to take action at the state level."

Cargill added that, given the governor’s silence on the issue of illegal immigration so far this legislative session, he hoped the governor would not attempt last-minute stalling tactics to stop reform and protect the status quo.

"Given the governor’s recent pattern of vetoing needed reforms this year, I think there’s real concern about whether he will sign this bill. I call on him to sign this legislation without delay," said Cargill.

"For too long, our nation and our state have looked the other way and ignored a growing illegal immigration crisis," said Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), author of HB 1804. "Oklahoma’s working families should not be forced to subsidize illegal immigration. With passage of House Bill 1804, we will end that burden on our citizens."

"We were forced to take action at the state level because of the total lack of action by the federal government on this issue," said Senator Jim Williamson (R-Tulsa), who authored the legislation in the Senate. "We listened to all interested parties in putting this bill together. This bill reaches our bottom-line goal of protecting jobs for working Oklahomans."

Terrill said that some House Democrats disingenuously attempted to delay HB 1804 on Tuesday by debating or voting against Senate amendments to the reform legislation.

"A ‘no’ vote on the Senate amendments is basically equivalent to a no vote on the entire effort to offer immigration reform," said Terrill. "Some House Democrats were merely trying to spin a bad vote today. They tried to argue that Senate amendments to the bill ‘watered it down.’ But we know those who opposed this bill aren’t for immigration reform."

Terrill said that House Bill 1804, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007, is a landmark first step to offer immigration reform for Oklahoma. The bill is part of the House Republican majority’s legislative agenda, and has now passed both chambers of the Legislature by overwhelming bipartisan margins.

Key elements of the bill focus on determining work eligibility. The measure also contains provisions to ensure taxpayer-supported benefits are made available to American citizens and legal immigrants only. The bill also gives state and local law enforcement officials the power to enforce federal immigration law – as well as restricting access by illegal aliens to driver’s licenses and ID cards.