Tulsa World: Immigration law could see court fight

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Immigration law could see court fight

By LEIGH BELL World Staff Writer
Published: 8/9/2007 3:06 AM
Last Modified: 8/9/2007 3:06 AM

The state's polemic anti-immigration bill could be challenged in federal court as soon as Oct. 1, said the president of a national organization that's behind a local effort to stymie the law before it takes effect Nov. 1.

The Rev. Miguel Rivera, president of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, held a press conference and prayer Wednesday outside City Hall.

"We are going to use Oklahoma as an example," he said.

Rivera announced plans for an Oct. 1 rally against House Bill 1804 on the steps of the Oklahoma Capitol.

He said he anticipates that thousands of people will participate.

A lawsuit against the law could be filed before then.

The argument likely will be that HB 1804 unconstitutionally pre-empts federal immigration law.

The law's author, state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, said, "I'm 99.9 percent sure this bill will withstand any legal challenge.

"Oklahoma's law is a huge symbolic target because it is without a doubt the toughest immigration bill in the nation," Terrill said in a telephone interview.

Attendance was sparse at Rivera's press conference, but the message was clear and sometimes severe.

Rivera pointed out the absence of City Councilor Maria Barnes, who is Hispanic.

He said she was invited and should have been there to show support.

Barnes said she had not been aware of the press conference

and that no conclusions should be drawn from her absence.

"I don't support" HB 1804, she said. "I think it's going to scare people, and it's going to harm people."

Any legal action against HB 1804 could receive the assistance of the Tulsa law firm Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis Inc.

The firm's president, Joseph Lennart, said, "There are ongoing discussions about what our role and involvement will be."

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund also might help the effort, and some of its officials were in the city Wednesday to discuss the possibility.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has been in meetings about a potential lawsuit, but Rivera said his group almost certainly won't work with the ACLU.

That means that more than one lawsuit is possible.

What is HB 1804?

The law, which takes effect Nov. 1, targets illegal immigration in Oklahoma. It will:

Ban illegal immigrants from state government identification.

End most public assistance and entitlement benefits for illegal immigrants.

Authorize state and local law enforcement officials to enforce federal immigration law.

Penalize employers for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

Penalize anyone who knowingly transports or harbors illegal immigrants.

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

By LEIGH BELL World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment pb, tulsa (8/9/2007 6:30:28 AM) I dont see anything wrong with the 5 listed items above. They make perfect sense. #1 If They are illegal why should they get state gov. id. Excuse me but I am not paying taxes to provide assistance to illegal aliens. Matter of fact I dont want to do it for american citizens who can work. Nothing wrong with the officers of the law upholding the law. People who employ them should be penalized enough they can pay for public assistance all on their own as far as I am concerned. It is illegal to transport or harbor any criminal. Unless of course you are taking them back to their country. If you noticed the opposers are Rev. Miguel Rivera Christian Leaders and Maria Barnes, who is Hispanic. Oh by the way Maria I hope it scares them. And it seems like it is. So now hopefully they will think about getting the heck out of our country and come here legally if they want food stamps. This is totally discusting. I am sick of paying for all these people who cant work or cant buy food or pay daycare. That is bull and I know a lot of people who dont need it that get it. Constantly search for ways to skirt the system. Especially Illegal aliens do not deserve anything here. They need to rethink coming to Oklahoma. HB1804 has a 99.9% chance it seems to me that is pretty good odds. They can pack up and leave now! These people who employ illegals should be fined to the maximum. With a 6% unemployment rate I think they can hire legal people. Who cares if we pay an extra dime for veggies. We survive the gas prices. It will save money in the long run in my opinion because of public assistance and the price to put these people in prison and TRY to educate them. They are still wasting our tax dollars now we have to get attorneys to go to court and justify a law that was overwhelmingly passed. Stupid butts
	Report Comment NL, Tulsa (8/9/2007 8:34:08 AM) I am proud to live in the State that is toughest illegal immigration. What has happened to our country when upholding the Rule of Law is so resisted and argued?
	Report Comment Mike, Tulsa (8/9/2007 8:39:16 AM) This is another classic example of how sometimes our freedoms are abused. Yes, we do have the right to freedom of speech, yes we do have the right to rally. But, these groups rallied in oposition to House Bill 1804 and lost and will never be satisfied until they have won. Any changes in the Bill should be an elected change in the polls and guess what, thos that vote are LEGAL!!! Now it will cost taxpayers court costs, etc. just because the good Rev. Miguel Rivera and his supporters are not getting their way. Uh, Mr. Revera, hate to be the first to break the news but, ummmmmmmmmmm, the popular vote is in and you lost. I suggest you start holding legalization classes to get these illegals educated quick. Any politician supporting this bill, in my opinion, is committing political suicide. There again, the POPULAR vote is in, you're out. Oh, and by the way Mr. Revera, come this November and the law kicks in I strongly suggest you have your "flock" hide in the back of the church because if I were of the good police force of Oklahoma the first place I'd look is in areas people like you reside and speak up for your "friends".
	Report Comment CARY, (8/9/2007 8:49:36 AM) THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE VOTED FOR PEOPLE WHO RAN ON SOLVING OUR ILLLEAGAL IMMIGRANT PROBLEM THIS WAS WHAT BECAME OF OUR VOTING FOR THE RIGHT PEOPLE. THIS IS HOW OUR COUNTRY WORKS. WE VOTE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TODO WHAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE WANT NO MATTER HOW MANY LAWSUITE THESE PEOPLE FILE FOR PEOPLE WHO BREAK OUR LAWS .IT WILL NOT DO ANY GOOD BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE WANT SOMETHING DONE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT PEOPLE WHO BREAK OUR LAWS
	Report Comment Mr. Legally in this Country, Tulsa (8/9/2007 8:55:17 AM) Wow, City Councilor Maria Barnes thinks this bill will scare "people". Don't you mean it will scare "illegal aliens". Now, the key word is "ILLEGAL" Councilwoman Barnes. Want to keep your LEGAL LAW ABIDING position in Tulsa City Council? Then, support this States Laws. I mean, what do you want? Do you want it to be Legal to come into as an Illegal Alien? Me personally, I am not scared of this law...scared of what? Our good police officers and law abiding citizens doing their jobs? Gimme a break, just accept the law or go hide in a hole with the illegals and pray they are not found and deported. Anyone that does not support this bill is supporting the right for someone that MADE THE CHOICE to take a chance at breaking the law and hopefully not getting caught, just like the shoplifter...it's all about CHOICE.
	Report Comment Bob, (8/9/2007 9:24:06 AM) I can't wait for Nov 1st. Hey McDonnals.....look out!
	Report Comment pb, tulsa (8/9/2007 9:35:12 AM) Bob I dont frequent mcdonalds, so i really dont know what kind of people work there. I did have some drug selling step sons that used to deal drugs from the drive thru window. You mean they have possible illegals too. GO FiGURE
	Report Comment linda hammen, san jose (8/9/2007 9:53:21 AM) Oaklahoma is very lucky to have some people in office fighting to stop this illegal immigration insainity. I live in CA and forget it, California will never stop the insanity.
	Report Comment Montezuma, Mejico City (8/9/2007 9:58:02 AM) If this bill is so bullet-proof, why are you concerned? Oklahoma isn't a country and if our laws conflict with federal laws, then they have to change. Also, TW, why do you allow such nasty ethnic slurs? See #1.
	Report Comment Lulu, Jenks (8/9/2007 9:59:38 AM) This articl states that "any legal action against HB 1804 could receive the assistance of the Tulsa law firm Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis Inc." Considering the support of this bill in the state of Oklahoma I'm suprised a prominent lawfirm would want to get involved in this lawsuit. Well that is unless they are just money hungry or most of their clients are business people who hire illegal aliens!!
	Report Comment Me, Tulsa (8/9/2007 10:19:50 AM) Ahhhhh, Montezuma, ummmmmmm, HB1804 does not conflict, actually, it upholds a federal law that is currently being neglected. Oh, I just noticed where you are from. Ummmmm, never mind.
	Report Comment pb, tulsa (8/9/2007 10:28:38 AM) #10 I am not concerned! And this is the TW comment section. They let us say what we need. If you have a problem with it I guess you can hire Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis Inc." to take your case. We all have read the terms and conditions. Have you
	Report Comment JM, Tulsa (8/9/2007 10:54:53 AM) If you do the crime do the time, I agree with(#5). They have no respect for anyone, they refuse to learn our lanaguge, and please don't get in a car wreck, what they do is jump out and run, or all of a sudden can't speak no English, reason (NO DRIVERS LICENSE nor CAR INSURANCE) and guess what they get away with it. So people are sick & tired of paying taxes for illegal who has come into our country and get more free things then the people who has been here all their lives. Hats off to HB1804
	Report Comment Mac, (8/9/2007 11:01:34 AM) I agree with PB. How can anyone possibly argue with the 5 points listed above. The bill is anti-ILLEGAL immigration NOT anti-LEGAL immigration. If Rivera and the traiter law firm(s) want to help the illegals, then they should spend their time and money making sure they learn English, learn our laws, and become legal tax-paying citizens. Our public officials and officers shouldn't continue to bow down to threats of lawsuits if they don't let illegal aliens do and take whatever they want. After all, we are the ones paying their salary and should back them up as well as hold them responsible for doing their jobs. The State should counter-sue on behalf of the taxpayers for legal fees and all other expenses if Rivera or others try to file ridiculous law suits.
	Report Comment Mac, (8/9/2007 11:17:58 AM) JM, you are absolutely right that illegals have no respect for our laws. Of course, they showed that by coming here illegally in the first place but then they proceed to drive on our roads without a license or insurance, use our hospitals, schools, public assistance, etc and have the nerve to think it is their "right" to do so. What is even worse though is that when illegals are involved in a car wreck and they can be detained long enough for the police to arrive, some officers even help them get away because they don't want to deal with the paperwork. If officers are going to be sued it should be for letting (or helping) them get away with things that normal citizens would be thrown in jail for - not for racial profiling crap.
	Report Comment pb, tulsa (8/9/2007 11:20:19 AM) That is a good idea. I think the state should counter sue Mac.
	Report Comment MC, (8/9/2007 11:48:13 AM) Everyone should call the Tulsa law firm Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis Inc. and tell them if they take this case you will not support their business. Flood the phones!
	Report Comment PB, TULSA (8/9/2007 12:14:33 PM) Well I did my part and sent them an email.
	Report Comment mj, Tulsa (8/9/2007 12:34:36 PM) I believe the good "Reverend" would be better off to expend his effort and funds minding his own business! Ever heard of separation of church & state ? Oklahoma citizens have made their voices heard via passage of HB 1804. This is a good law. We are sick to death of footing the bill for those who don't deserve it. I would also like to challenge the good " Reverend" to specifically cite which of the above 5 points he objects to. I'm sure he would say ALL OF THEM & IT'S A FEDERAL ISSUE ! What's most amusing is to see how the open-border advocates (including this publication)always defer to Federal jurisdiction regarding immigration law reform and yet, they are especially outraged when the Feds actually begin enforcement i.e. raids on employers. Does anyone else see that hypocracy? How about you, Reverend ?
	Report Comment ?, Sand Springs (8/9/2007 12:38:29 PM) All of you just SHUT UP, for the love of GOD. If you don't like what you read or see in the paper, online, on T.V. just don't watch it. And maybe we all can start working on bring our troops back.
	Report Comment Charles, (8/9/2007 1:06:19 PM) The swarthy hordes are fighting against the public will with their idiotic liberal friends.When will they acknowledge they are NOT wanted in Oklahoma and return to Mexico.We do not want a bunch of backward,illiterate mestizo peasants from a corrupt,failed society in this country.Their multiculturalist lapdog lawyer friends can NOT help them by manipulating the courts.Oklahomans love HB 1804.
	Report Comment , (8/9/2007 1:17:13 PM) Sometimes I wonder why Oklahomans on TV are always pictured as, or represented by, the most back-water tobacco chewing hill-folk. Then I read close-minded, uninformed, bigoted, up-chuck like this and understand completely.
	Report Comment David, (8/9/2007 1:50:23 PM) I don't want Tulsa to turn into another L. A. or South FL. I hope it isn't already to late to reclaim our city and state. This is the most important issue this country has ever faced. I will vote against any politician who supports any form of legalizing the illigals.
	Report Comment SnraChavez, Tulsa (8/9/2007 2:08:40 PM) Ban illegal immigrants from state government identification. (They can get no license. Without a license they can get no insurance. Without insurance they can get no tags. Now that's a good plan) End most public assistance and entitlement benefits for illegal immigrants. (They pay taxes and yet they reap no benefits. Another good plan. The only one making money here is . . . the government. The only thing I see any of them get anyway is WIC and insurance for their 'legal' children. Surely the taxes they pay are good for some services. And, I don't want to hear about the schools. The schools get money for them being there. If they leave the class rooms don't get smaller. They just don't need as many teachers.) Authorize state and local law enforcement officials to enforce federal immigration law. (I love this one. Like our law enforcement officers should be derailed from fighting REAL crime.) Penalize employers for knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. (Now this one will be fun to defend. The key word is 'knowingly'. Don't think I need to explain this) Penalize anyone who knowingly transports or harbors illegal immigrants. (Again, knowingly is very hard to prove)
	Report Comment pb, tulsa (8/9/2007 2:26:37 PM) #24 you are not very educated on the cost or statistics of illegal immigration or actions. It costs this country literally BILLIONS of dollars every year. ( approx 353 BILLION ) in all the things you listed, public assistance, health care, free school lunches, and added teachers, not including a cost at american citizens childrens expense for dealing with these children and who knows maybe diseases from no immunizations (they can reproduce the cards easily for that one and the schools dont verify them either), the prison system, housing, and now to add to it our law enforcement agency will have to devote hours to it, injuries in vehicle and personal injury accidents, sexual molestation. Get some facts before you just go commenting on things you know nothing about. I hope it is quick and painless in the court room for the opposers of HB1804. Deportation is the only answer unless they choose to leave on their own which is designed into HB1804

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