Oklahoman, NewsOK
Published: May 3, 2011
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A bill to give police in Oklahoma broader powers to crack down on illegal immigrants was approved in the House on Tuesday and sent to a conference committee where lawmakers will develop the final language.
The House voted 63-15 for the bill amid criticism from some Democrats the measure was nothing more than “political window dressing.”
“I'm not satisfied there is a practical, cost-effective, state-level solution that doesn't burden small businesses and our already stretched-thin law enforcement,” said Rep. Ben Sherrer, D-Choutea.
Sherrer said the most logical solution for addressing illegal immigration must come from the federal government.
In its current form, the bill authorizes federally trained police officers to question people about their immigration status in certain circumstances, allows the seizure of vehicles used in human trafficking, and makes it a crime for illegal immigrants to seek employment... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Tue, May 3, 2011
by John Cox