Oklahoma Has It Right

Hey folks,

Oklahoma has it right, now, what about the rest of America? According to CNN Oklahoma targets illegal immigrants with tough new law

TULSA, Oklahoma (CNN) -- Weeks of protests, rallies, lawsuits and candlelight vigils failed to stop a new state immigration bill -- HB 1804 -- from becoming the law in Oklahoma.

The law went into effect Thursday and is intended to make life difficult for illegal immigrants in Oklahoma.

Its authors say they're sending a very clear message: If you're an illegal immigrant, you are not welcome.

“I'm convinced illegal aliens will not come to Oklahoma, or any other state, if there are no jobs waiting for them.” said state Rep. Randy Terrill, a Republican and the law's author.

“They will not stay here if there are not taxpayer subsidies and they certainly won't stay here if they ever encounter one of our fine state and local law enforcement officials,” he added. “They'll be physically detained -- until they're deported.”

What is wrong with this? It really is simple. Follow the rules, reap the rewards. You know, doing the right thing.

The new law restricts the ability of illegal immigrants to obtain government IDs or public assistance. It also gives police authority to check the immigration status of anyone arrested, which can lead to deportations.

They could try NY.

It doesn't stop at illegal immigrants. The law also makes it a felony for U.S. citizens to knowingly provide shelter, transportation or employment to illegal immigrants.

Again, what is wrong with that?

The message has been received loud and clear. Many in Oklahoma's Latino community say people are staying home, fearful police will arrest and deport them.

“They're afraid they're going to get deported. They're just afraid,” said Alex Yoguez, a juice store owner who relies on Latino customers for her business to survive.

Should not have come here illegally.

Yoguez said her business is normally filled with customers. “We are down 50 percent just today,” she said Thursday, the day the law went on the books.

Latino supporters are up in arms about the way the state now views illegal immigrants who have been here for many years.

“You are guilty of ethnic cleansing in this community You are going against my community ” said the Rev. Miguel Rivera of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy.

What a bunch of bunk. THEY are the criminals. NOT the State of Oklahoma. THEY chose to ignore and violate our laws. THEY chose to come here illegally. THEY are to blame for this THEMSELVES.

The clergy group filed a federal lawsuit against the state saying the state has overstepped its bounds by enforcing immigration law, which is under federal jurisdiction. A hearing in the case is scheduled next week. An earlier attempt to get an injunction to prevent enforcement of the law was turned down by a judge.

It's not yet clear how the law will be enforced. Illegal immigrants in Oklahoma fear police will use the law for roundups of anyone working and living in the state illegally.

If they are working ILLEGALLY, then the police SHOULD arrest them. Goes to the whole right vs wrong thing. Don’t ya think?

“I don't know if we're going to be actively looking for them,” said Tulsa Police Capt. Steve Odom, who works in the Latino district of Tulsa. “If we come across them in the course of a call, or a course of an investigation, certainly we'll take the appropriate action.”

Which should be already the policy in America itself. It’s NOT. But it should be.

The Tulsa Police Department said it has not received guidance from the district attorney's office on how to enforce the law. The department points out that suspicion of illegal activity is not enough, and proving the intent of U.S. citizens is a challenge.

Still, many in Oklahoma say Latinos have been leaving by the thousands since the law was passed in May.

“We are going to NY.”

“We are losing a lot of business, a lot of business,” said Antonio Perez, who owns Mexican grocery stores. “I would say between the four stores we have lost about $300,000 a month in sales.”

So far, the absence of the Latinos on the streets may be the only visible result of the law.

I know some of you will have a problem with this. But I really see NO problem. Like the old “Bretta” show use to say, if you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime. They chose this path for their lives, now someone somewhere, stood up and said enough is enough, they seem upset. All well.
Peter