Oklahoma's immigration measure is reportedly the nation's toughest.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Amid reports that Oklahoma has the toughest immigration law in the country, the National Conference of State Legislatures released a study this week showing states are taking up the slack on immigration reform because Congress has failed to do so.

In the absence of leadership from the federal government on immigration, the states have displayed "an unprecedented level of activity and have developed their own approaches," the report says.

So far this year, twice as many bills have been enacted by legislatures around the country compared with 2006. Since January, states have enacted 171 immigration bills, compared with 84 measures a year ago.

Rep. Randy Terrill, author of Oklahoma's reform measure, House Bill 1804, said Oklahoma's new law "was the talk of the town" at the NCSL's annual convention, which opened in Boston on Monday. About 35 House members and several state senators are attending the sessions.

Last year, Georgia passed an immigration bill heralded as the toughest in the nation. However, Mike Hethmon, executive director of the Immigration Reform Law Institute, said Oklahoma's bill goes further that any other state's legislation in a half-dozen or more areas. Those include a requirement that law officers attempt to determine the citizenship status of everyone they arrest and that those working here under questionable

In a phone interview from Boston, Terrill, R-Moore, called Hethmon "the wizard behind the curtain." Hethmon worked on the Georgia legislation last year and helped Terrill draw up HB 1804, which was overwhelmingly approved by the state Legislature in May. He also has consulted with other states about their proposed legislation.

"This is now a 50-state issue," said Sheri Steisel, an immigration specialist with the National Conference of State Legislatures.

"There is a tremendous amount of frustration at the local level now that the federal government has abrogated its responsibility," she said.

Terrill said Oklahoma's "comprehensive law" is a major accomplishment for the state, but others say it reflects badly on how Oklahoma treats people living within its borders.

HB 1804 goes into effect Nov. 1.

The Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders based in Washington, D.C., said the Oklahoma law shows a lack of understanding on the part of legislators who passed the bill. He said the state law demonstrates "racial intolerance" toward Mexicans and other Hispanics living here.

"The economics of this country depends on continual immigration," Rivera said, adding that Oklahoma will suffer in the end through a loss of those working in service jobs.

What makes HB 1804 stiffer?

• It requires that law enforcement officers must attempt to verify immigration status of arrestees and denies bail for “foreign nationals” deemed to be flight risks.
• It restricts eligibility for state driver’s licenses and identity cards to citizens and immigrants with proper documentation.
• It makes it a felony to knowingly harbor, transport, conceal or shelter an illegal immigrant within the state.

  This does not include providing certain emergency health and social services, as outlined in federal law.

• It prohibits people who are not lawfully in the United States from receiving certain public benefits.
• It requires public employers to verify the legal status of new employees through a federal verification system after Nov. 1.

  Private employers must do the same after July 1.

• It allows workers who have been fired to sue their employers if they have hired an illegal immigrant to perform the same type of work.

Mick Hinton (405) 528-2465
mick.hinton@tulsaworld.com