The Oklahoma Legislature has passed House Bill 4156, a measure that seeks to criminalize undocumented immigrants in the state. The bill, which has overwhelmingly passed the State House (77-20) and Senate (39-8), would create the crime of “impermissible occupation” and institute a series of penalties of varying degrees against illegal migrants.
Edurne Pineda, consul of Mexico in Oklahoma, has expressed concerns about the bill, stating that undocumented immigrants are not criminals and they contribute to the state’s economy by taking on hard-to-fill jobs in hospitality, agriculture, and construction. She emphasized that criminalizing them would not solve the issue and would be unfair.
A first offense under the new law would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a maximum $500 fine. Additional offenses would be felonies punishable by up to two years in prison and/or a maximum $1,000 fine. Those charged would have to leave the state within 72 hours of their convictions or release from custody.
The bill also prohibits statewide municipalities from becoming “sanctuary cities.” House Speaker Charles McCall, a Republican, defended the bill, saying it is necessary to protect Oklahoma citizens from the “illegal immigration crisis” and the failure of the federal government to address the issue.
However, Senator Michael Brooks, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, argued against the bill, stating that it was fast-tracked without proper vetting and public input, and could potentially put thousands of immigrants in Oklahoma at risk of unfair profiling and persecution. He suggested alternative solutions, such as providing state IDs or driver licenses to undocumented immigrants who meet certain requirements, as a way to move the state forward economically and address public safety concerns.
A significant number of Mexican immigrants reside in Oklahoma, with over 450,000 living in the state. They contribute to the labor force and pay state income tax, highlighting their economic contributions.
The bill awaits Governor Kevin Stitt’s signature to become law. It has sparked controversy and raised concerns from immigrant rights advocates, who argue that it is a harsh and ineffective approach to dealing with undocumented immigration, and that it fails to address the underlying economic needs of the state.
