(The Center Square) – Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall said Wednesday he is filing a bill similar to one in Texas that would allow state law enforcement to arrest people in the country illegally.
McCall announced his bill shortly after Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond urged state lawmakers to do so.
“The Biden Administration’s refusal to enforce the laws enacted by Congress threatens public safety in Oklahoma and throughout the country,” Drummond said. “The Supreme Court may well be poised to set new precedent allowing state law enforcement to act. If and when that day comes, I want Oklahoma to be prepared with a robust law that empowers local law enforcement.”
The U.S. Supreme Court voted 6 to 3 on Tuesday to remove a stay on Texas Senate Bill 4, which makes illegal immigration a state crime under certain circumstances. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling shortly after the Supreme Court decision that blocks the law from taking effect. The appeals court heard arguments on Wednesday, but it is unclear if the ruling would take place before April 3, when parties are scheduled to debate the merits of the case.
McCall said President Joe Biden’s immigration policies have made every state a border state.
“Oklahoma is a law and order state, and should be the last place illegal immigrants want to settle when they cross over the border,” McCall said in a statement. “For those reasons, and in light of recent court rulings regarding Senate Bill 4 out of Texas, I am immediately introducing legislation to secure the borders of Oklahoma in the same fashion as our neighbors to the south. Oklahoma will stand ready to defend its borders from all who would enter our country illegally.”
Iowa lawmakers passed a bill similar to the Texas legislation on Tuesday. The charges in the bill range from aggravated misdemeanors to Class C felonies. The bill does not allow law enforcement to make arrests on the charges if the person is in school, church or receiving treatment at a medical facility. It will become law upon Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature.
Arizona passed a similar bill that was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs.
