A law making English the state's official language is all that is needed now, he says.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- House Speaker Lance Cargill said Wednesday that he thinks a bill to make English the state's official language is about as far as the Legislature ought to go next session in toughening laws on illegal immigration.

Fellow Republican Rep. Randy Terrill, who successfully sponsored a stringent immigration reform bill last session, said he wants more laws passed, including one authorizing the seizure of property and assets of people who hire illegal immigrants or knowingly rent property to them.

On the other side of the issue, Republican Sen. Harry Coates of Seminole is calling for repealing sections of last session's House Bill 1804 dealing with penalties against those who harbor and assist illegal immigrants. Portions of that legislation went into effect Nov. 1.

"Some on the right would like additional employer penalties," said Cargill, R-Harrah. "Some on the left clearly want to repeal House Bill 1804 outright, or at least significant sections. But I don't think the people of Oklahoma want the law to go away."

Making English the official language in Oklahoma, like 30 other states have done, would be a unifying force for the state, he said.

"English as the official language would have broad support," Cargill said.

But the speaker raised doubts that there will be widespread

"I don't know what the support level would be for additional restrictions," he said.

Terrill said Wednesday that he has not had a chance to talk with the speaker about proposed legisla tion for the upcoming session that Terrill has labeled "Son of 1804."

"I am sure the speaker is aware of what I have put on the table," he said. "But I am absolutely thrilled that the speaker would give his blessing to proceed with a bill making English the official language."

The Rev. Victor Orta of Tulsa, president of the American Dream Coalition, said he is pleased that immigration legislation in the coming session might be limited. However, he said there is no need to make English the official language.

Regarding Terrill's proposal to seize the property of those who violate the new immigration law, Cargill said this is "a very complicated issue, and I don't know what the support would be at this juncture."

Terrill also has talked about denying the issuance of birth certificates for children born to parents who are in the United States illegally.

Some people question whether such a move would violate federal law, which recognizes the children as U.S. citizens.

"We need to tone down the rhetoric and try to work in a constructive way to do what is best for the state," Cargill said.

He noted that a provision affecting private employers does not go into effect until July 1. He said the legislation's effective date was intentionally set so that there would be time to "examine and refine to the extent that there are rough edges that can be smoothed."

Cargill said now is the time to listen to employers and find out how the legislation will affect their businesses.

"Certainly the business community will have thoughts and comments on further sanctions," he said, "and I think the majority of the Legislature will be cognizant of that fact."

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