"This is a good day for Oklahoma, and a good day for America," said Carol Helm, director of the anti-immigration group called IRON or Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now.

"We have cities that are not enforcing the rule of law for every citizen. This cannot continue. We feel like there should be no exceptions, and everybody should be required to follow the law regardless of ethnic background or whether you're a U.S. citizen or not."

Opponents were just as strong in their reaction.

"This is going to cause more harm than good in Oklahoma," said Campbell Cooke, a Tulsa immigration attorney and a naturalized U.S. citizen.

"In a word, it's nationalism, and nationalism is very, very scary. It pro motes segregation and racism. That's what this bill does. It promotes racism and segregation. It's very scary that this is what Oklahoma wants."

The proposal -- House Bill 1804 -- passed after lengthy debate. It now goes to the House, which previously passed an earlier version of the bill.

House author, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, expects it to pass easily.

"For all practical purposes, this bill is sitting on the governor's desk," Terrill said.

A spokesman for Henry was noncommital on the proposal.

"Gov. Henry supports responsible and effective immigration reform, but he will not pass final judgment on this bill until he has an opportunity to closely review the final version of the legislation," said Paul Sund, a Henry spokesman.

The measure makes it a crime to move, transport or try to transport known illegal immigrants within the state.

It also makes it a crime to conceal, harbor, or shelter illegal immigrants; it tightens eligibility for state driver's licenses and identity cards.

The measure requires jail officers to try to verify citizenship or immigration status.

Those who are in the nation illegally are to be deemed a flight risk for bond determination.

The bill requires all public employers, including contractors and subcontractors, to verify work authorization of all new employees starting July 1, 2008.

Under the measure, it would be discrimination for an employer to discharge a legal resident while retaining an illegal immigrant hired after July 1, 2008, in a comparable job.

But for it to be a violation, the employer had to know or reasonably should have known the retained employee was illegally in this country.

The measure requires state and local agencies to verify lawful presence for state and local public benefits, but provides exceptions for certain emergency and humanitarian services.

During debate, Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa, called the bill mean-spirited and a sham.

It imposes costly and ineffective mandates on state and local agencies and threatens access to key public services, she said.

She called it a misguided approach pandering to anti-immigration sentiments.

But other legislators said the measure is an important step.

Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, said to say illegal immigration is a federal problem is a copout.

Voters "are demanding we as a state do something the federal government has failed them in this arena," Corn said.

Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com

Leigh Bell 581-8465
leigh.bell@tulsaworld.com

Key reforms

Main elements of the proposed state immigration reform measure:

• Makes transporting or harboring known illegal immigrants a state crime.

• Tightens eligibility for driver's licenses and identity cards.

• Requires jails to try to verify citizenship or immigration status of prisoners.

• Requires public employers to verify work authorization of all new employees.