Oklahoma Representative Tim Turner has filed two bills he says are aimed at preventing foreign terrorist activity and illegal foreign land ownership in the state ahead of the upcoming legislative session.
“Oklahoma welcomes those who have come to our country legally and who are willing to abide by the laws of our land,” Turner said. “But those who are here to further a terrorist cause, to harm our citizens through drug or human trafficking or in any other manner, or who illegally purchase our land with an eye to siphon our resources and profits, should know that we will punish them to the full extent of the law.”
House Bill 3764 would increase criminal penalties for anyone convicted of a felony while acting on behalf of or in support of a foreign terrorist organization, as defined in federal immigration law. Under the bill, a person convicted under those circumstances could face up to twice the maximum prison sentence and twice the maximum fine allowed for the underlying felony. Those enhanced penalties would be added on top of any existing mandatory minimum sentence.
To secure a conviction under the proposal, the state would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was a member of, acted at the direction of, knowingly provided material support to, or knowingly associated with a designated foreign terrorist organization in furtherance of its objectives at the time of the crime.
Turner pointed to a recent U.S. Justice Department announcement that 37 foreign fugitives were taken into custody on charges that include human smuggling, drug and firearms trafficking, and money laundering. One of those cases involved charges filed in the Western District of Oklahoma.
House Bill 3765 would create a new felony offense for a non-citizen who unlawfully acquires or owns land in Oklahoma and then uses that land to commit a felony under state law. A conviction could carry a sentence of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Property involved in the offense would also be subject to forfeiture.
Turner noted that Oklahoma already has laws limiting certain foreign ownership of land, but said this bill would create a separate criminal penalty tied to illegal ownership connected to other criminal activity.
Both bills include emergency clauses, meaning they would take effect immediately if signed into law. Lawmakers are scheduled to convene for the legislative session beginning Feb. 2.
