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OKLAHOMA LEGISLATORS REACT TO AG’S CALL TO PASS IMMIGRATION BILL SIMILAR TO
TEXAS’


Oklahoma Capitol Building(kswo)
By Justin Allen Rose
Published: Mar. 28, 2024 at 5:39 AM HST
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) - The Oklahoma Legislature seems poised to introduce a bill
which would allow police to enforce federal immigration laws, similar to Texas’s
embattled SB 4 measure. The wheels started moving for Oklahoma lawmakers to
introduce the copycat measure after Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond
urged them to do just that.

LEGISLATORS RESPOND TO DRUMMOND’S CALL

Drummond’s urging followed the Supreme Court’s hesitancy on halting the Texas
measure. In response, Oklahoma Speaker Charles McCall (R-22) says he will
immediately introduce legislation to secure the state’s border through a
proposal similar to SB 4.

“The failed policies of the Biden Administration have turned every state into a
border state,” McCall said. “Oklahoma is a law and order state, and should be
the last place illegal immigrants want to settle when they cross over the
border. For those reasons, and in light of recent court rulings regarding Senate
Bill 4 out of Texas, I am immediately introducing legislation to secure the
borders of Oklahoma in the same fashion as our neighbors to the south. Oklahoma
will stand ready to defend its borders from all who would enter our country
illegally.”

There does seem to be some bipartisan consensus on passing an immigration bill,
at least on the senate side of the Oklahoma Legislature.



Oklahoma state Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-33) says he would support an SB 4-like
measure and believes the bill can get passed as long as politics does not get in
the way.

”It absolutely can be done and should be done,” Dahm said. “But it’s just a
matter of if leadership will decide that they want to do what’s best for the
people of Oklahoma, and the speaker of the house has already indicated that he
will, or if they’re going to play politics.”

Another state senator, but on the Democratic side, Sen. Michael Brooks (D-44),
says he would support an immigration bill as long as it takes a comprehensive
approach.

“With the Supreme Court at least appearing to be willing to consider granting
some rights to states when it comes to immigration policy, I think I would be
interested in addressing it in a comprehensive way,” Brooks said. “So if we are
going to criminalize the fact that people are undocumented, then to be able to
provide a path or a way for people who already put down roots, who are already
paying taxes, to provide them with an opportunity perhaps to not be guilty of
that crime. And so to me, if they’re going to pass something like that [SB 4],
for those long time residents of the state of Oklahoma, for them to be allowed
perhaps to qualify for a state ID or state license. And with that state ID or
that state license, they wouldn’t be subject to the criminal law.”



While the two state senators from across the aisle disagree on the specifics of
such a bill, they agree on the notion of the federal government failing to
address America’s immigration problems.

Brooks continued his call for the state to take a comprehensive approach on the
matter of immigration while acknowledging agreement that spans across the aisle.

”At this point, I think everyone would agree, regardless of your political
stripe, that the federal government has failed to address the issues with
immigration,” Brooks said. “Whether it comes on the benefits side, or on the
enforcement side. But I think we face the same challenges in the state of
Oklahoma, so if we’re gonna choose to wade into this issue then we’re gonna need
to be able to address it comprehensively.”

Dahm echoed Brooks’ sentiments about the federal government’s actions, or
inactions, taken on the immigration issue.



“We do have, under the U.S. Constitution, the federal government is supposed to
protect states against invasion. Not only is the Biden regime failing at that,
they’re intentionally creating this invasion. But that doesn’t mean we as a
state should just let it happen. So we need to do whatever we can as a state to
protect our citizens, and that should be our primary focus.”

When asked why the Biden Administration would be intentionally creating what he
calls an invasion, Dahm said it’s to sow chaos and to obtain more voters.

WILL WE SEE IT PROPOSED?

With seemingly bipartisan support being shown to get something done on this
matter, Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Rep. Cyndi Munson (D-85), expressed
skepticism on how someone like Speaker McCall will be able to introduce said
legislation.

During a national press conference, Munson answered a question asked by our
7News team about Drummond’s recent urging of the legislature.



During her answer, Munson said AG Drummond and Speaker McCall are both vying to
be the next governor of Oklahoma, and because of this she is not surprised to
see them pandering to the Republican base. She then went on to say how the House
has already passed the deadline to hear bills which originated in the house, so
she is unsure how he would be able to do what he says he is going to do.

While Munson is unsure how, Brooks says when there is a will, there is always a
way.

“I think if the Speaker is dead set on being able to get a bill across, then I
have a feeling he will find a way to be able to suspend the rules to be able to
get there,” Brooks said.

Some members of the Oklahoma House have mentioned an amendment to an already
proposed bill could be on the way to get an SB 4-like measure on the books. When
asked whether Dahm would consider doing the same on the senate side, he said
someone would be willing if the leadership in the chamber decides not to pursue
the bill.



“If the Senate leadership isn’t willing to pursue on this, I’m sure there will
be people looking at every means possible on how to do that, Dahm said.
“Whenever there’s been a failure of leadership like that, yes, there’s been
other members that have always been willing to step up and say, ‘Okay well I’ll
introduce the legislation, I’ll work with the Speaker of the House on it, or
I’ll find a vehicle on the Senate side, a House bill that we can potentially
amend and do something with if Senate leadership isn’t willing to actually lead
in this regard.’”

Recently, Dahm and fellow state Senator Dusty Deevers (R-32) made headlines for
filibustering before the March 14 legislative deadline. Dahm did not rule out
another filibuster attempt later this session if an SB 4-like measure isn’t
produced.

CONCERNS OF RACIAL PROFILING

One of the main concerns against SB4, is that it allows for stop-and-frisk
tactics and racial profiling. Stop-and-frisk refers to the policing practice of
stopping a person briefly, without a warrant, in order to search them for
prohibited items, such as weapons or drugs. Former New York Mayor, Rudy
Giuliani, emphasized this practice in an attempt to reduce crime during the
1990s.

Dahm says while he believes those practices used by the New York police achieved
their goals, the Oklahoma Legislature will need to craft the bill to protect
individual’s rights.



“I mean, if you actually look at what they did with stop and frisk, it was
actually successful,” Dahm said. Now I am very much a Constitutionalist, and I
do want to protect people’s civil liberties and make sure that they are not
subject to unreasonable searches and seizures, that is the qualifier on that.”

Brooks echoes the need to protect civil liberties and said more police training
would be necessary if such legislation passes.

“Obviously, if we’re gonna protect the rights of citizens, then there needs to
be adequate training for law enforcement, Sen. Brooks said. “This is one thing
perhaps that law enforcement will learn is you can’t identify someone if their
document or undocumented by looking at them. And so being able to provide
training to law enforcement when it’s appropriate to inquire and how to inquire
about someone’s immigration status, I think will be essential if we’re gonna do
something about this.”

More training, as Brooks suggests, could mean more resources needed for police
departments across the state. A measure like the one passed by Texas could mean
less jail space, more officers on duty, and more local tax dollars being spent
on enforcing federal immigration laws.



Sergeant Christopher Blessing with the Lawton Police Department says it’s
uncertain how much a law like this would affect LPD.

”Time will tell whether or not we will need any additional resources, whether
that means man power, equipment,” Blessing said. “We just don’t know just yet.
If that law is passed, we’ll have to play it by ear then and go from there.”



Stick with your 7News team as we continue to watch if this bill does get
introduced in the coming weeks or even days. You can watch and read more news
about the Oklahoma Legislature by clicking here.

Copyright 2024 KSWO. All rights reserved.


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