OK House passes bill criminalizing illegal immigrants [Video]

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — After a Texas law that would prohibit “sanctuary cities” stalled in federal court this year Oklahoma lawmakers say they feel it has now become their responsibility to keep illegal immigrants out of the state.

Texas Senate Bill 4 looks to prohibit “sanctuary city” policies, which prohibit local law enforcement from inquiring about a person’s immigration status and complying with detainer requests. These policies often also prohibit the sharing of information regarding a person’s immigration status with the federal government.

However, the bill – signed into law in December 2023 – has been stalled in federal court.

Because of the judicial limbo Texas is currently in, Speaker of the House Charles McCall (R-Atoka) and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-OKC) have jointly filed House Bill 4156.

“This bill scares me to death,” said Representative Jason Lowe (D-OKC).

The bill wasn’t supposed to be heard Thursday morning, but the House suspended rules in order to hear it earlier than the afternoon.

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