The Legislative Leadership’s immigration bill is now heading to the Governor for his consideration. House Bill 4156 creates the crime of “impermissible occupation” if a person is residing in the state of Oklahoma without legal authorization to enter the United States. The first conviction is a misdemeanor with up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. Following offenses are punishable up to two years in prison and a $1,000. In both instances, a person found guilty would be ordered to leave the state within 72 hours following their conviction or release from custody.
House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat introduced the bill on April 15. It passed the House on April 18 by a margin of 77 to 20.
Tuesday in the Senate, HB 4156 won approval by a vote of 39 to eight.
Treat said the legislation is necessary to protect Oklahomans.
“This measure protects immigrants here legally, while ensuring law enforcement have the tools necessary to go after criminals. The southern border crisis has created a scourge of illegal activities, including an increase in fentanyl, human trafficking and crime in our communities because of the inaction and abject failure at the federal level to secure our borders. The Oklahoma Legislature is taking the necessary action to protect our citizens. Doing nothing is unconscionable and this legislation is the appropriate measure to keep Oklahomans safe and uphold the rule of law,” said Treat.
Senator Michael Brooks warned that HB 4156 would not result in the safety those supporters of the bill desire.
“While I agree with the desire for our communities and state to be safe and secure, House Bill 4156 is not the answer. The bill has been fast-tracked, bypassing the opportunity for vetting and public input at the committee level, and could leave tens of thousands of immigrants within our state at risk for unfair profiling and persecution, regardless of their status. My constituents, and those of other legislators, are fearful of this legislation, and rightly so,” said Brooks.
While Governor Kevin Stitt generally agrees that action is needed to secure the border and reform immigration to make it work better, he has not committed to signing HB 4156.
