(ProsperNews.net) – Oklahoma lawmakers have passed legislation to allow law enforcement officers to arrest illegal immigrants. Under the bill, police can arrest border crossers and charge them with “impermissible occupation,” which is punishable by a one-year prison term and a $500 fine. Furthermore, the convicted migrant must leave the state within 72 hours or immediately after their incarceration period ends. Repeat offenders will face felony charges, two years imprisonment, and a $1,000 fine.
After signing the bill into law, Governor Kevin Stitt said he regretted it, but it was necessary because the White House had failed to protect the United States border. He added that individual states had no choice but to take decisive action.
Governor Stitt noted that among the millions to cross the US southern border illegally were potential Chinese spies and individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations and America’s adversaries. He furthermore declared that marijuana farm numbers had exploded across the Sooner State, causing strain on law enforcement resources.
Responding to concerns about racism or prejudice, Stitt said he would not tolerate any abuses of the law. He said he “loves” Oklahoma’s Hispanic communities and his aim is to ensure that all law-abiding US citizens have the opportunity to pursue the American dream.
Nevertheless, pro-migration protestors gathered outside the state legislature to object to the measures and accused lawmakers of “playing politics” with immigrants’ lives.
Oklahoma joins several other states in expressing frustration with the federal government and enacting legislation to tackle the crisis at state level. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill allowing police to arrest and deport people, but this is on hold and awaiting a US Appeals court ruling after the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit arguing that immigration policy is the preserve of the federal government only.
In similar moves, Tennessee recently introduced legislation requiring law enforcement agencies to report prisoners’ migration status and cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Georgia, Louisiana, and Iowa have all floated similar ideas.
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