OKLAHOMA CITY – Today the Governor signed one of the most strict and unconstitutional bills about immigration into law, HB 4156.
The bill targets undocumented immigrants and would make the first offense for being undocumented in Oklahoma a misdemeanor with jail time of up to a year, or a fine of $500, or both. The individual would have 72 hours from the time given to them to leave the state and will not be allowed back at any point afterward. The second offense would be a felony.
The bill would prohibit the ability of the courts or prosecutors to consider probation, delayed or community sentencing, or a future pathway to citizenship.
House Democrats were extremely vocal in their opposition of the bill, saying that it encourages racial profiling and attacks current undocumented Oklahomans who contribute millions in tax dollars every year.
House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said the legislation is unconstitutional and an example of political pandering.
“This legislation is dangerous and scary, and I am saddened to see the Governor overlook the many—progressive, conservative, and religious—voices in opposition of this bill. Not to mention the voices of people who would be directly impacted,” Leader Munson said. “This legislation is all about partisan politics in an election year, not about solving real problems for Oklahomans. Border security is the responsibility of the federal government. House Democrats provided real solutions to helping undocumented Oklahomans that this legislation otherwise completely ignores, like creating a process for better documentation and collecting taxes. This bill is hateful policy that does nothing to protect Oklahomans or bolster our workforce — simply put: it is politics at its worst.”
Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, acknowledged that there are challenges at the border, but said this legislation is not the answer.
“The rationale behind this bill is clear and understandable,” Menz said. “The bill itself is extreme, otherwise it wouldn’t have taken the Governor so long to sign it. While the issue of immigration remains largely a federal-level issue, there were things we could do on a state level to secure Oklahoma’s future and that requires a coalition of leaders having honest discussions. The legislature has the resources, the will, and the intelligence to create good and lasting policy, which HB 4156 is not. As a result of this bill becoming law, there will be expensive legal challenges paid for by taxpayers, and a lot of good, hard-working people will leave Oklahoma.”
Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, D-Oklahoma City, says the bill will end up costing Oklahoma and does not provide a solution.
“With the signing of HB 4156, it has become evident that our leadership has chosen to prioritize divisive political talking points over substantive policy solutions in an election year,” Alonso-Sandoval said. “This bill, which has now become law, fails to address any real issues; instead, it will cost our state millions of dollars and alienate hardworking individuals who contribute immensely to our state.”
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