MAKE US YOUR HOMEPAGE
|
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
|
WIRELESS
CONTACT US
|
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
|
SIGN IN
SIGN OUT
|
MY PROFILE PAGE
|
MY ACCOUNT
Advanced Search
Current Conditions
34°
(Feels like 25°)
5-day local forecast
Home
News
Sports
Business
Special Projects
Blogs
Scene
Obits
Videos
Photos
Databases
Opinion
Comics
Jobs
Autos
Homes
Classifieds
Contact Us
|
About the Tulsa World
|
FAQ & Help
|
Advertise With Us
|
Create an Online Account
|
Email Newsletters
|
RSS
|
Mobile
|
iPhone App
|
E-Edition
Local
|
State
|
US/World
|
Education
|
Health
|
Religion
|
Courts
|
Government
|
Stimulus Tracker
|
Weather
|
Births
|
Divorces
|
Marriages
|
Transitions
OU
|
OSU
|
TU
|
ORU
|
High Schools
|
College Football
|
College Basketball
|
Blogs
|
Out Pick the Picker Contest & Blog
|
NFL
|
Fantasy
|
Pros
|
Golf
|
Outdoors
|
Motor Sports
|
All
Stocks
|
Aerospace
|
Agriculture
|
Employment
|
Energy
|
Real Estate
|
Finance
|
Tech
|
Retail
|
Transportation
|
FYI
|
Consumer Awareness
|
Action Line
Special Projects
|
The Homicide Report
|
The SemGroup Collapse
|
Puppy Profits
|
The Life of Oral Roberts
|
The Life of Will Rogers
Sports
|
Scene
|
Opinion
|
Photo
Dining In
|
Dining Out
|
Movies
|
Music
|
On TV
|
The Arts
|
Style
|
People
|
Home
|
Health
|
Family
|
Books
|
Travel
|
Celebrations
|
Blogs
Obituaries
|
Memorials
|
Death Notices
|
Support
|
Resources
|
Funeral Directors Login
|
Search Obituaries
|
Find a funeral home or cemetery
|
Divorces
|
Marriages
|
Transitions
Videos
|
Blogs
Photos
|
Blogs
|
Order photo and page reproductions
Databases
|
State Salaries
|
City Salaries
|
Gas Station Violations
|
Crime Tracker
|
State Restaurant Inspection Reports
Editorials
|
Letters
|
Bruce Plante's Political Cartoons
|
Readers Forum
|
Wayne Greene's Blog
|
Mike Jones' Blog
|
Stems & Pieces
Comics Kingdom Online
|
Comics from the Tulsa World Print Edition
Job Search
|
Career Resources
|
Upload/Modify Resume
|
Hiring Companies
|
Career Fairs
|
Account Profile
|
Job Alerts
|
Employer Login
My Saved Searches
|
My Saved Ads
|
Boats
|
Motorcycles
|
Recreational Vehicles
|
Airplanes
|
Classic Cars
|
ATV's
|
Scooters
|
Sell Your Car
Property Search
|
Commercial Property
|
Foreclosures
|
World of Homes
|
Find a Realtor
|
Real Estate Login
Garage Sales
|
Pets
|
Post An Ad
|
Upload a Photo
|
Help & FAQ
Home
>
News
> Article
Newspaper View
Print
Email
Comment
RSS
Bookmark
If you would like to bookmark this article you will need to
Login
to your tulsaworld.com account
close
Terrill leads way on issue
State Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, says House Bill 1804, which he wrote, is a model for states looking to act against illegal immigration. JAMES PLUMLEE / Tulsa World
By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer
Published:
10/30/2007 1:24 AM
Last Modified: 10/30/2007 11:34 AM
Watch a slide show and read all the stories in a series on the immigration of thousands of people from Casa Blanca to Tulsa.
Read all of the Tulsa World’s coverage of House Bill 1804.
State Rep. Randy Terrill says his law school education didn't include a class on immigration law.
However, the Moore Republican said last week that he believes he has become one of the leading authorities in state government on the subject.
Terrill has been in the spotlight as the chief author of House Bill 1804, an immigration reform measure that he describes as the toughest immigration law in the country and a model for other states that are seeking to get a handle on the issue.
However, others believe it goes too far. They have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the legislation, which is scheduled to take effect Thursday.
U.S. District Judge James Payne has scheduled a hearing for 2 p.m. Wednesday on the plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction to stop HB 1804 from taking effect.
Although Terrill, 38, said he has always had an interest in public policy, he believed for much of his life that illegal immigration was more of a federal issue than a state concern, he said.
However, it became apparent to him in recent years that the federal government has "absolutely and utterly" failed to uphold its responsibility to enforce immigration laws, he said.
In such a situation, it is up to the states to take the initiative to uphold the law, he said.
An Alva native and OU law school graduate, Terrill was elected to the House in 2004. He said he asked himself, as a state legislator, what he could do about immigration.
Terrill said it soon became apparent to him that it would take hard work and some help to craft a legally sound immigration reform measure.
He did not take any immigration law classes at OU, so he set about researching the topic at Oklahoma City University's College of Law, he said.
Terrill credited Carol Helm, the director of Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now; and former state Rep. Bill Graves, whom Terrill described as "a longtime conservative mentor of mine," for their insights.
Still, Terrill's initial effort at comprehensive state immigration reform, House Bill 3119, died in committee in 2006.
The publicity that surrounded that measure prompted about 5,000 advocates for immigrants to rally at the state Capitol.
Terrill said last week that the gathering "backfired" on its organizers, as it led a lot of Oklahomans, who perhaps had not paid a lot of attention to the issue, to make it known that they supported a crackdown on illegal U.S. residents.
Terrill said he has seen information showing that 40 percent of the drug trafficking in the United States is tied in some way to illegal immigration.
"Not all of them are putting roofs on your houses, I assure you," he told a group of Tulsa lawyers last week.
Advocates for immigrants say the vast majority of the undocumented people in the U.S. are hard workers who are just trying to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads.
They also say that many of the people pushing the hardest for immigration reform describe themselves as Christians yet seem to be lacking the compassion for which Jesus is known.
They wonder whether the real motive behind measures such as HB 1804 is racism.
Terrill is adamant that the effort to secure U.S. borders has nothing to do with race and ethnicity. It has everything to do with trying to put an end to a problem that has far-reaching consequences for all Americans, he said.
As the standard-bearer for HB 1804, Terrill said, he has seen its opponents carrying signs with his face obscured by a red line.
Some observers have speculated that Terrill may use this issue as a springboard to higher office.
Terrill said he would be "less than honest" if he said that possibility hadn't crossed his mind.
However, he said, his pursuit of immigration reform has nothing to do with whatever may lie in his future.
States are stepping in to fill what Terrill called the immigration enforcement "vacuum" left by the federal government, he said.
His legislation has become a model for other states, he said. About a dozen of them have seen similar measures introduced, and that total may approach 30 soon, he said.
Certainly people in those states will be watching closely to see whether Payne allows HB 1804 to take into effect.
David Harper 581-8359
david.harper@tulsaworld.com
By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer
Copy Text
Search for this phrase/name
Close
Newspaper View
Print
Email
Comment
RSS
Bookmark
If you would like to bookmark this article you will need to
Login
to your tulsaworld.com account
close
Reader Comments
Show: Most Recent Comment First
Add your comment
90
comments have been made on this story so far. Tell us what you think below!
Reporting Comments
If you see a comment that violates our
terms and conditions
, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you. --
Web Editor Jason Collington
Report Comment
SoonerMan918
, Tulsa (10/30/2007 2:06:35 AM)
That says it all, "They also say that many of the people pushing the hardest for immigration reform describe themselves as Christians yet seem to be lacking the compassion for which Jesus is known.
They wonder whether the real motive behind measures such as HB 1804 is racism."
Report Comment
SoonerMan918
, Tulsa (10/30/2007 2:10:38 AM)
He's a disgrace to Sooner Nation.
Report Comment
The Oracle
, Tulsa (10/30/2007 5:30:50 AM)
Three cheers for the new law that becomes effective November 1st.All who drive should have a legal drivers license,insurance,a safe car,and obey the laws.Take away the tax-exempt status of those "reverands" who influence legislation and harbor law breakers.
Report Comment
Jim M
, Tulsa (10/30/2007 5:53:39 AM)
Hooray for Randy Terrill and the new law! The feds have been an absolute failure in border security and illegal immigration!
Report Comment
Dover
, (10/30/2007 6:18:14 AM)
Way to go Randy.... I think this is great. November 1 will be a day to remember. We will make history and hopefully more states will follow. We need to get our country back and stand proud of it.
Report Comment
VR
, Tulsa (10/30/2007 6:39:49 AM)
Yes, think about this; Jesus would be an illegal immigrant if he returned in his middle eastern body. In case you've forgotten, he was not white, wealthy or Republican!
Report Comment
a
, tulsa (10/30/2007 7:08:44 AM)
you know, I'm still amazed that there are people who seems to think that the only people driving without licenses or insurances are illegal. Just what percentage of the population do we suppose is undocumented? 5%? 10%?
Report Comment
oscar
, tulsa (10/30/2007 8:21:19 AM)
federal law is federal juridicion
state law is state juridicion
is not going to happen sorry terrill
Report Comment
Jay
, Edmond (10/30/2007 8:31:37 AM)
Terrel is a disgrace to Oklahoma.
Report Comment
The Facts
, (10/30/2007 8:45:54 AM)
I have no problem with 95% of the law. I do have a problem with Randy Terrill. The guy is a fraud. He has seized this issue to make a name for himself...but anyone familiar with Capitol insiders will tell you this guy is the most untrustworthy backstabing devious representative in okc, regardless of party. It is frightening that a politician like him can make a name for himsrlf by appealing to peoples fears and insecurities. Again, most of the law is ok...but the rhetoric of this fraud is overheated and anything but "christian"
Report Comment
for real
, (10/30/2007 8:53:28 AM)
Check this website for the story on Terrill and how he says he didn’t know. If he didn't know they were a "white supremacist group" that gave money to FAIR, the anyone that harbors an illegal should plead the Terrill.
go to okgazette and look up the story on Terrill. Story under "State rep denies knowledge of organization's financial ties to alleged hate group"
Report Comment
Dover
, (10/30/2007 8:57:42 AM)
Way to go Terrill you made a name for yourself in my book and probably about 90% of Oklahomans too. A real hero that will lead the rest of the country into independence from the invaders. Oscar and Jay two more days... It is already law we are just waiting for the start date.....
Report Comment
Dover
, (10/30/2007 9:00:32 AM)
#7 we are smarter than that!!! DOnt underestimate people like that just trying to say something mean and hateful. The americans who drive without liscense and insurance understand the laws and know we have them for a reason. To ADD illegal people who obviously have no capacity to understand the law or obey it is suicide. Get it now?????
Report Comment
for real
, (10/30/2007 9:01:24 AM)
Lets not be quick to celebrate..
Hero can turn into ZERO for that is what Terrill is to many peopel.
Hey Dover if he is a hero, were is his tights, let me know if he wears them Tomorrow so I can keep my children from the news.
Report Comment
E T
, tulsa (10/30/2007 9:03:59 AM)
a lot of people describe themselves as Christians when in fact they are wolves in sheeps clothing. Victor Orta describes himself as a Christian but if he was he would uphold man's law instead of aiding and abetting criminals.
Report Comment
Tater
, Tulsa (10/30/2007 9:04:38 AM)
Personally, I think all politicians adore the spotlight, and they seek it and bathe in it. But in this instance, I believe that Terrill has done something that is laudible, and needed to be presented to the Legislature for a vote.
The People have spoken, and it will become a Law.......and it was WAY overdue.
Kudos to Randy for having a backbone.
Report Comment
mj
, Tulsa (10/30/2007 9:05:59 AM)
God Bless Randy Terrill. I've said it before & I'll say it again....Apologists make me sick !! If the net result of this new law is to get many of the financial parasites to go elsewhere, I say bravo ! I am very suspect of naysayers of this new law and can't help but wonder if they themselves are profiting from the presence of illegal aliens or are illegals' themselves.
Report Comment
get real
, (10/30/2007 9:06:50 AM)
ET
Typical response, you want Christian's to uphold man's law and what about GOD"S law,
I believe they need to follow that and also man's law, but if man's law overrides Gods then there is a conflict. You have to choose cant have 2 masters. It's Victor's soul what should he do?
Report Comment
Dover
, (10/30/2007 9:15:18 AM)
get real you are a true idiot. Mans law does overlap gods law. What about capital punishment. I dont see good ol victor at the pen everytime one of those occur. So he obviously has his priorities all screwed up with his billfold. Wake up buddy!!!!!! You get real.
Report Comment
Delaware Bob
, (10/30/2007 9:30:51 AM)
As a resident of Smyrna, Delaware, I have been following this story and the "Illegal Immigration Law" in Oklahoma. I can't say how proud I am of you, Mr. Terrill, and the residents of Oklahoma for taking a stand on these "ILLEGAL ALIENS". Our Federal Government, starting with Bush, has done nothing to stop this invasion of America and the rapping of the American taxpayers. Yes, soon, very soon, other States will be passing their Immigration Laws, and Pennsylvania may be the next State. I can't wait for Delaware to take a stand on this issue. We got about 40-50 thousand "ILLEGAL ALIENS" roaming the streets here in our State, taking up precious space in our schools, holding back the American students, hospitals over crowded with the "ILLEGALS" getting free medical care, and the list goes on. Don't back down, Mr. Terrill. We must take AMERICA back!
ALL THE VERY BEST!
Report Comment
get real
, (10/30/2007 9:32:55 AM)
Tell me Dover is there a God for you?
Report Comment
Native American
, (10/30/2007 9:50:46 AM)
Sen. Inhofe & Cong. Sullivan voted for CAFTA which eliminates our borders...we must reverse this quickly along with NAFTA!
Report Comment
B. Oxford
, Fayetteville (10/30/2007 10:08:39 AM)
Dover, Oscar is right. The states don't have the constitutional authority to enact such a law. I think you will see a federal judge enjoin the state from enforcing the law until the lawsuit wraps up, which could be years. I think this case could go all the way to the SCOTUS. Many people clearly want such a law, but that doesn't mean the states can do it. Immigration is Federal problem.
Report Comment
mark
, oklahoma (10/30/2007 10:15:38 AM)
how many laws is it ok to break under the justice for illegals.fake I.D's,stolen I.D,no license,no insurance and fraud.the latino sue sqaud knows this law will not effect leagals but use that as an excuse knowing its really illegals they are worried about.the borders are broke.thousands cross per day.sure you have the hard workers but you also have gangs,killers,rapeist ,theives and drugs come over as well undocumented.i would rather have a law that might detour illegals from entering O.K and help keep these problems from adding to the ones we allready have.no matter what side your on you cant rush half of a nation into another and excpect it to go smooth.and if god wants this huge influx invasion then i am sure he will let me know.no word yet.I suport HB1804!
Report Comment
mj
, Tulsa (10/30/2007 10:48:55 AM)
#23 - Sounds like you love the influx of the illegals into Arkansas. Surely, you must also applaud the opening this past summer of a Mexican Consulate in (Little Rock or Rogers). Now think about it...why would LEGAL immigrants need the assistance of such a facility but to gain Matricular Consular cards that they can use to open bank accounts (The Bank of Amexico is a favorite ), get home loans & credit cards. Do you not consider those illegal acts ? Obviously, Arkansas citizens have yet to get a gut-full of the invasion taking place in this country sooooooooo, by all means enjoy any illegals exiting Oklahoma for ANY reason. I hope they all head east. If it happens to be because of our new law, then its purpose is being fulfilled. Also, you are mistaken when referencing the states' authority regarding this issue. The Immigration Reform law passed & signed into law in 1996 by your own "slick willy" says that states DO in fact have the right for self-preservation in this matter & that santuary cities are actually in violation of that same Federal law. Via con dios !
25
of
90
comments displayed. |
View All
Add Your Comment
In order to post a comment on this article, you must
sign in to Tulsaworld.com
. If you do not have a site account, you can
create an account for free
.
Post Your Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Comments made yesterday
2,015
Total Comments
1,033,505
Register to make reader comments
1) Tulsa mayor wants to use grant money to hire back officers
2) Debating a penny
3) Shawnee police shoot, kill knife-wielding man
4) Missing boy shows up at Oklahoma City school
5) Tulsa Denny's restaurant busy after Super Bowl ad promotion
6) Possible double-homicide prevented, police say
7) Broken Arrow superintendent's position offered to Union administrator
8) Tulsa police investigate possible accidental shooting
9) Tulsa area closings list
10) Two injured in highway crash
View the top 50
These are the most viewed stories in the last 24 hours.
1) Tulsa police will not respond to some calls
2) Panel advances Bible-education bill
3) No cuts planned for mayor's staff
4) Gunman robs new north Tulsa grocery
5) Sarah Palin assails Obama at 'tea party' gathering
6) Tea Party movement looks to continue momentum
7) Officer out on bail after bar incident
8) Debating a penny
9) Most snow melts in mild storm
10) Police officer jailed after incident at pub
View the top 50
These are the top stories that have been commented on in the past 7 days.
1) Tulsa Denny's restaurant busy after Super Bowl ad promotion
2) Tulsa man arrested in attempted kidnapping investigated in 2007 attack
3) There's a job at the SHOP
4) Income tax credit: Making Work Pay
5) Debating a penny
6) Tulsa man, Coweta woman plead guilty in mortgage conspiracy
7) Oklahoma legislature honors 'The Biggest Loser' winner
8) Broken Arrow superintendent's position offered to Union administrator
9) Officials: Arrow's assets are unclear
10) Texas cities recruiting Tulsa's police officers
View the top 50
These are the top stories that have been emailed in the past 24 hours.
Home
|
About Tulsa World
|
Advertise With Us
|
Privacy
|
Usage Agreement
|
FAQ and Help
|
Contact Us
|
Today's Headlines
Copyright
© 2010, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
Advanced Search