You GO, Oklahoma!

[REP0MAN]

Link

Immigration Law Could Become Tougher
KOTV - 12/29/2007 5:14 PM - Updated 12/29/2007 6:13 PM

While the current bill is still in its infancy, its author says plans are already in the works for the son of H.B. 1804, which could include a challenge to the U.S. constitution's 14th amendment. News On 6’s Dan Bewley reports there could be changes for the state's immigration reform law.

The birth of House Bill 1804 saw protests and rallies but was ultimately signed by Governor Brad Henry in May and went into effect November 1st. Its author, Republican Representative Randy Terrill, says less than two months later he's already seeing proof of its success.

“There is significant anecdotal evidence that illegal aliens are beginning to leave the state of Oklahoma, particularly in the northeast part of the state, in and around the Tulsa area, moving around to northwest Arkansas, southern Missouri, and southern Kansas,” said Representative Randy Terrill.

A recent Oklahoma Poll shows 28% of Oklahomans think the immigration reform bill has had a negative impact. Sand Springs resident Debbie Spears is one of them. She says the law puts undue pressure on small business owners.

“If you increase the cost to do business in Oklahoma by putting these requirements on to employers then that's just an increase to the cost of their goods and services,” said Spears.

Judy Wilson also opposes the law, saying she's seen first-hand the devastation it brings to families who have loved ones deported over a traffic ticket.

“I'm talking about a mother, pregnant girl, and a child that's not even a teen yet,” said Judy Wilson.

Representative Terrill says he's already working on the next stage of 1804.

His plans include making English the official language of Oklahoma, strengthen the current law to give law enforcement more power, force schools to report the number of illegal immigrants in its district and take a closer look at challenging the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S., even if their parents are not citizens.

Terrill admits that last provision is still in the research phase. “So we are going to proceed in a very careful, thoughtful, and deliberative manner and we're going to produce something that's going to be airtight and withstand any legal challenge that's brought against it,” said Representative Terrill.

The Oklahoma Poll is a partnership between The News On 6 and the Tulsa World. For a look at other poll results, pick up a copy of Sunday’s Tulsa World.


I'm not sure the 14th Amendment thing will pass, even in Oklahoma; but its gonna be fun to watch! I'll have a front row seat. Hey MAC, bring your lawnchairs, lets go to OKC and watch the fireworks!

[texasmom]

Originally posted by REP0MAN
Judy Wilson also opposes the law, saying she's seen first-hand the devastation it brings to families who have loved ones deported over a traffic ticket.

That just sounds misleading.  It's the illegal entry that causes the deportation.  The traffic ticket is what caused the illegal entry to come to the attention of the law.

[Tac]

not to mention that to get a ticket you need to be breaking the law.

before the flamers come grillin' please consider this: if you are illegal in the country you are commiting several other 'illegalities' if you are driving and get a ticket:

whatever you did to get the ticket
driving without a license (illegals cannot get licenses)
driving without insurance (most states require one)

so it all adds up. Not to mention that driving in THIS country is a hell of a lot different than driving in other countries.

Coming from south america my first couple of years i was terrified of driving because the MAX speed allowed in S. America is usually 40mph (50km/h'ish) not because of speed limits but because of the roads themselves (narrow and curves not set to allow high speed).

And here.. holy crap.. 60 to 70 mph is the norm.

[REP0MAN]

Originally posted by Tac
And here.. holy crap.. 60 to 70 mph is the norm.

You drive this on Phoenix Freeways, you will get shot for going to slow.

Another twist to the discussion of Illegal Immigrants and driving.....

I was looking through a local, free, print mag that has cars for sale from various dealerships around the valley. Most of the dealers in these adds cater to sub-par customers (credit issues). Some of the ads I was reading were in Spanish (no surprise) but also listed the fact that they consider Mexican Driver License a form of ID and legal to drive a vehicle off the lot! Sooner or later an Illegal will cream a school bus load of kids coming out of the dealership lot in his $99 down 85 Buick. Maybe some reform will come out of that. Well, that is, if enough kids are killed.

Ho-Hum.

[Gunslinger]

Hey good for OK!  I hope this trend continues.  Not only is it letting states decide how they want to act but it is actually having results as seen in Arizona with there new laws.

I am sympathetic of someone who is here trying to accomplish the American dream but I don't want them here illegally.

I think the immigration issue is two part.

FIRST:  Secure the borders and virtually eliminate illegal immigration.

SECOND:  Expand the current immigration laws to allow more immigrants that want to work and could provide a healthy influx to our society as a whole.  

Immigrants that want to come here should want to be AMERICANS and not anything else.  There previous culture should take a back seat to our current traditions and values.

[AWMac]

I'm with ya RepoMan...Chairs, BBQ, slab of Beef Ribs, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw and ears of corn, Ice cold beer and a few American Flags...

Sounds like a fine Day to me.



Mac

[eddiek]

I've never wanted to live in Oklahoma, but the passing of the new laws makes me breathe easier with my upcoming move to the OK Panhandle area.
Sadly, I will be only 10 miles or so from Liberal, KS, which is teeming with illegals.  Realtor there said it breaks her heart to see how the town has become so run down within the last decade with the influx of illegals working at National Beef.
What makes me the maddest is the attitudes of many of the illegals.  If you aren't law enforcement, their true feelings come out, and defiantly.
"Screw America, I'm a MEXICAN!  So what if they catch me and send me back........I'll be back within a week and have my old job, just a new name..."  (That was from an illegal in Tyrone, OK who felt the need to boast about how easy it is with the current laws in place.)

[REP0MAN]

What town will you be in?

The law that started on Nov 1st has forced many illegal immigrants to flee to surrounding states.  I've been to Liberal and seen first hand what you're talking about. Truly a shame. How ironic to be named Liberal.

Heck, you can see it in the city's web page. A small, Midwest town has an "En Espanol" option for their website.  City of Liberal

Come join MAC and I in OKC. We're gonna watch a riot!

[eddiek]

I'll be living in Turpin, OK.  
I might join you guys in OKC....used to date a lady in Choctaw, might look her up while I'm there....lol!
I'm waiting to see how the company I work for reacts to the new laws, as they are based out of Tulsa, OK.  I already told my toolpusher what I intend on doing IF and when I start drilling and get my own crew, and he was all for it.
ALL crewmembers will be able to speak and understand English.  No racism, it's a safety issue.  You've been here 20 years and claim you no speaka da English?  You hita da road, amigo!
What I see daily is an unwillingness to fit in or associate with "gringos".  We have three Hispanics on our crew, one of which is American, born here, raised here, and the other two are "gray"......no one knows for sure if they are legal or not and the office is not cooperating in finding out if they are or not, but........the two in question refuse to associate with anyone if they aren't Hispanic.  When we are working on something, such as a mud pump, they drop everything as soon as another Hispanic walks up.  Makes for loads of fun when we run casing (90% of the casing crews are Hispanic) and stop to circulate......you have to literally grab them and remind them what their jobs are........NOT to leave the floor to talk to the other crew, but to get things rigged up on the floor with OUR crew.  
Probably cut my own throat when I said that to the toolpusher, but oh well......I won't be responsible for a mulitmillion dollar rig, the well we are drilling, and more importantly, the safety and welfare of the crew if everyone can't communicate and carry out their job when the poop hits the fan.  When a well kicks and it looks like it might turn into a blowout, seconds count, literally.  I won't have that on my conscience (or my record, as the driller is criminally and civically liable for all of the above) if something goes wrong.
Okay, SOAPBOX mode OFF...................