Republicans legislators emerging their fear, and Xenophobia against the other. By Richard L. Fricker



The Republican-dominated Oklahoma legislature is defining the frontier of xenophobic immigration laws, anti-Muslim bigotry, gay bashing and encouragement of gun-toting students -- with Democratic legislators often too timid to resist.

Rep. Randy Terrill, Republican chairman of the Revenue and Taxation Committee, has emerged as a hero of the "protect our borders" crowd by authoring a law, known as HB1804, that makes it a felony even to give an illegal immigrant a ride.

You also can't provide education, health care and many other services to undocumented immigrants, including infants. And, police are required to check the immigration status of anyone "suspected" of being in this country illegally.

If you thought such a draconian measure might face stiff opposition -- or at least a drawn-out political battle -- you'd be wrong. The bill sailed through the Oklahoma House, 88-9, with 35 of the 44 Democrats joining the Republicans, and then passed the Senate on a 41-6 vote with two-thirds of the Democrats lining up with Republicans.

After the law's passage, its extreme -- one might say un-Christian -- features prompted virtual declarations of civil disobedience from the Southern Baptist Convention and the Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches, which announced they would not curtail aid to anyone.

Terrill then attacked Roman Catholic Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa as "misguided," accusing Catholics of opposing the law out of fear that it would curtail a growth in population and thus revenues for the church.

Terrill followed up his legislative victory by floating a "son of 1804," a bill that would forbid the issuance of birth certificates to a child if one parent was an illegal alien. That bill also sought confiscation of property for anyone caught violating HB1804.

The property-confiscation idea, however, was deemed too radical by the Oklahoma business community, which saw it as a threat to corporate owners. So, the follow-up bill got sidetracked.

Undeterred, Terrill proposed another anti-immigrant bill to make English the official language of Oklahoma.

When that bill died on a procedural vote in the Senate, Terrill enlisted the Washington lobby group ProEnglish, whose specialty is robo-calling, to make constituency calls to state senators.

One senator took umbrage and forwarded his calls to Terrill's office. Furious at this "cowardly act," Terrill crossed the rotunda threatening to "whip his ass."

Though Terrill's pressure tactics failed to revive the bill, it is expected to become a hot-button election issue this fall.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma business community, which mostly sat on the sidelines as HB1804 was passed, is now having second thoughts, worrying that the new law has cut into the labor force and thus corporate profits.

A significant number of Mexicans, both legal and illegal, have left the state to avoid harassment, while other laborers are living in fear.

As Terrill and his supporters mounted legal assaults against non-English-speaking immigrants, Republican colleague Rep. Sally Kern focused on what she viewed as an even graver danger: gays and lesbians. In April, she went before a local GOP meeting and labeled that threat worse than the one from al-Qaeda:

"Studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades. So it's the death knell of this country. I honestly think it's the biggest threat our nation has, even more than terrorism or Islam, which I think is a big threat. OK?

"'Cause what's happening now is they are going after, in schools, 2-year-olds, and this stuff is deadly, and it's spreading, and it will destroy our young people, and it will destroy this nation."

When her comments showed up on YouTube, Kern claimed her comments had been taken out of context and expressed outrage that they would be posted on the Internet. However, she referenced the Bible and refused to apologize.

Despite complaints from around the country, Kern and Oklahoma's other Republican leaders held fast behind her anti-gay positions. Reports from inside the GOP caucus described Kern receiving a standing ovation from the party faithful a couple of days after her statements were made public.

Kern's supporters also staged two rallies at the Capitol Building, with one drawing nearly 2,000 people.

"I told the people when I was running for this office that I was a Christian candidate and that I believed we were in a cultural war for the very existence of our Judeo-Christian values," Kern declared.

In a similar vein, Republican Rep. Rex Duncan concentrated on the threat from Islam, rebuffing a gesture of multicultural goodwill when American Muslims on the Ethnic American Advisory Council sent each legislator a copy of the Quran in honor of Oklahoma's centennial celebration.

Duncan refused to accept his copy, saying, "Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology." Seventeen other House Republicans joined Duncan in spurning copies of Islam's holy book.

However, Duncan's rationale -- decrying Islam as a uniquely violent religion -- flew in the face of historical and Biblical evidence that implicated Jewish and Christian communities in horrendous violence against the innocent as well.

For instance, the Old Testament's Book of Numbers recounts Moses' destruction of the Midians, including the slaughter of boys and the enslavement of girls. During the Crusades, Christian forces famously butchered the Muslim inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Indeed, the history of Christianity -- a religion based on the peaceful teachings of Jesus -- has been remarkable in its bloodletting against non-Christians, from the Inquisition and anti-Jewish pogroms in Europe to the genocide against the "heathen" natives living in the New World and the barbarities against African slaves brought to the New World.

Though several interfaith groups expressed dismay at Duncan's denunciation of Islam, the Rev. Anthony Jordan, executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, said he did not fault the legislators for their action repudiating the Quran.

The Oklahoma legislature also responded to concerns about mass shootings on campuses by deliberating on a proposal advocated by extreme elements of the gun lobby, to permit all university students to carry guns to classes so they could defend themselves in case a mad gunman went on a rampage.

However, the idea of turning colleges into a modern version of the Wild West died in a fit of sobriety.

Still, the question remains: Why have these sorts of comments and such legislation gained traction in Oklahoma and other parts of the United States?

Some political analysts suggest part of the reason is that Democrats so dread coming under attack from the evangelical Right that they stay silent or acquiesce to proposals that otherwise might be transformed into campaign attack ads against them.

Election 2008 could be a moment when this surge of theocracy tinged with white racialism might finally be turned back. But, then again, enough Democrats may find it more appealing to nurse their grievances from the bruising Obama-Clinton race than to find some common ground

Oklahoma Anti immigration bill will cost state 1.8 Billion in revenue.



New study estimates that Oklahoma's anti-immigration law will cause $1.8 billion in economic losses as foreign-born workers flee the state.

The projection is based on 50,000 workers, both documented and undocumented, leaving Oklahoma, causing a 1.3 percent reduction in the gross state product over the next few years.

The Oklahoma Bankers Association said it has no stand on the immigration measure, but commissioned the study after reports from banks of problems incurred by companies that employ immigrant workers.

One restaurant that had been making $5,000 payments to a bank each month closed its doors, construction projects have been delayed because of a lack of workers and farm workers have disappeared, banking officials said.

Oklahoma's House bill, written by Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, took effect Nov. 1, preventing undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses and public services.

It criminalized transporting, concealing or harboring them, and eventually will require employers to check immigration status of prospective employees through an online federal program.

State lawmakers around the country are proposing hundreds of bills this year aimed at curbing Undocumented immigration, including lawmakers in at least eight states sponsoring legislation similar to Oklahoma's

While the OBA took no position on the Oklahoma measure's social policy, "bankers do have concerns about unintended consequences that have come as a result of the bill," said Don Abernathy, chairman of the association.

"That's the reason we decided to commission this study, to better understand the facts and get a better handle on the costs to the state's economy and to bank customers," he said.

The study, by the Economic Impact Group of Edmond, Okla., was based on Oklahoma having a total foreign-born population of 111,000 to 175,000, with an estimated 50,000 to 75,000 being undocumented workers, mainly from Mexico. The state has an overall population of 3.5 million.

According to officials who conducted the study, Oklahoma's economic losses will build over the next few years, before a slight recovery in the state gross product as new workers move into the state.

Officials said the study is consistent with similar analyses performed in Texas.

Hispanic leaders have estimated that more than 20,000 undocumented workers, mostly in the Tulsa area, fled the state ahead of the bill taking effect.

Terrill questioned the study's conclusions after a cursory review of it. He said his legislation was geared toward "an attrition through enforcement approach," with no mass exodus of undocumented workers expected.

He said, however, the intent of the bill was to have undocumented workers leave Oklahoma for other states and there is antidotal evidence that is happening. "We still have no hard numbers," he said.

Terrill called the report "one of the best reports that money can buy to take shots at (the) House bill."

"This debate is about a whole lot more than just economics," he said. "It is about defending the rule of law, it is about upholding our state and national sovereignty and it's also about the immorality of employing cheap, illegal labor."

The lawmaker said an anti-immigration group has estimated Oklahoma loses more than $200 million in state revenue through education, medical and other benefits paid to Undocumented workers and their families.

Terrill said the OBA report does not account for those benefits in projecting economic losses to the state.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Oklahoma statute as interfering with federal immigration law.

SUMMATION OF OKLAHOMA'S HB 1804 LAW

Did you believe the HB1804 was intented to racial profiling, Hate, Ignorance, and bigotry. I would like to see the law being implemented for equal conditions for any Human Being under their constitutional rights.

1.-Bigotry: Now, if you call people who violate a law, "illegal" then call everyone who violates a law, illegal. Almost everyone has violated a law. Have you ever in your life driven over the speed limit? Then you are “illegal”.

Now, you do not support criminals. Going to a country without documents is not a crime. Educate yourself but since we are talking about criminal activity, here I have an example on how 1804 is promoting crime; here is a letter that an apartment complex in Tulsa sent to its residents:

“Residents:

I need for you to bring me and ID and Green Card for yourself and any other adults living in the apartment by October the 26th. I will make a copy of them and keep them in your file. Failure to do so could possibly lead to an eviction.

Thank you,”

Again, if this is beyond your comprehension of tenants rights, ask someone educated, such as an attorney or go the library. This is harassment and it is a criminal offense. I am glad that you do not support criminals.

2.-Racial profiling- You say: "Nothing in the law says that it is targeting a specific race".

However, a friend of mine who is an attorney questioned one of the legislators of HB1804, and she openly said: don’t worry is only for Hispanics. Of course, they know better to include this wording in the text of 1804. Hispanics are the ones being chased and discriminated against. Hispanics are U.S citizens, legal residents and undocumented residents as well.
First, are you a or look like Hispanic citizen? Or when you are talking about an Illegal; what ethnicity or group comes to your mind? Australians, Canadians, Russians.. Noooo. Hispanics like Mexicans right!!. Isn't The conservative, extremist media planted on your mind? according to the stereotype?

You will be racially profiled by police, who will stop you in hopes of learning that you are illegally here so they can take you to the sheriff's office. You did not commit any traffic violation; it is all based in your appearance.

So, here is racial profiling for all those who do not look "American", it does not matter that you are a citizen, all that matters is how you look.

Get it? You are a citizen and you will be racially profiled.

Let me tell you about a case of a teenager in California who was a citizen and was deported to Mexico. (It was in the news). He had mental retardation and since he looked "Hispanic" he was unfairly deported. The American authorities refused the request of the family for assistance in locating the boy.

So, citizens are too being wrongfully deported

Abuse: Examples of abuse are numerous and they will be documented, Lawsuits will be the result.

Racism: Again, Oklahoma has gained notoriety for its 1923 Tulsa Riots against African-Americans and its mistreatment of Native Americans. Now is the Hispanic community. Different victims, same hate.

Ignorance: The Sheriff who took only a couple of weeks training for acting as an immigration agency, said that they are deporting people not only from Mexico but from El Salvador, Germany and Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States; so Puerto Ricans like Oklahomans are U.S. citizens.

Do you see the ignorance of the people in charge of enforcing this law?

Aren’t you glad ignorance is not a crime?


HB1804, the Citizens and Taxpayers Protection Act, dealing with clamping down on illegal immigration was signed into law by Governor Henry on May 8th.

This legislation is a product of several years' consultation with state legislators from both parties. It is an important step for the IRLI strategy on incremental state-by-state reform. IRLI provides technical assistance to legislators based on successful measures from other jurisdictions.

HB 1804 is tough on employers violating the law and prevents illegal aliens from obtaining drivers license and benefits, while still protecting the privileges and immunities of U.S. citizens and respecting constitutional rights for all persons. HB 1804 includes a mix of criminal, fiscal and anti-fraud provisions that collectively restrict the ability of illegal aliens to unlawfully work and reside within the state.

The Statement of Legislative Intent (Section 2) declares the states compelling interest in immigration law compliance, finding that illegal immigration causes economic hardship and lawless and has been improperly encouraged by public agencies within the state.

Section 3 replicates the federal provision that makes it a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than 1 year or a fine of $1000.00, for any person to transport, harbor, or shelter an alien in reckless disregard for their illegal immigration status. State and local prosecutors now have the tools to stop illegal aliens from "residing" in Oklahoma, or traveling instate in search of unlawful employment.

Section 4 restricts issuance of most official identification documents to U.S. citizens, legal permanent resident aliens or holders of valid unexpired visas. Illegal aliens cannot operate in-state if they lack official documentation. Use of foreign consular cards issued to illegal aliens has been prohibited.

Section 5 requires police to verify the immigration status of persons who have been arrested and detained at a local jail for felony crimes, and report all illegal aliens to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Section 7 requires all public employers to use the Basic Pilot electronic work authorization verification program. State and local public contractors are prohibited from commencing work on a taxpayer-funded contract before they register with the Basic Pilot Program.

Section 8 requires every public agency to verify the lawful presence of aliens aged 14 years or older who applies for state or local public benefits, using the online SAVE system, as authorized by the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. Standard federal exceptions for emergency health care treatment or other public health services apply. This measure builds on similar provisions developed by IRLI that have been successfully adopted by Virginia, Colorado, and Georgia.

Section 9 provides that employers shall withhold state income tax for independent contractors who failed to provide a Social Security number. Reduces the incentive to hire illegal aliens as cheap day laborers and "contractors," and helps safeguard workers compensation and other labor law protections against abuse.

Section 10 directs the Oklahoma Attorney General to negotiate a "287(g)" cooperative agreement between the State of Oklahoma and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to increase state and local police joint enforcement of federal immigration law with DHS. 287(g) agreements help insure that illegal aliens discovered by Oklahoma police officers are quickly and safely transferred into federal custody. Helps fight "catch and release" abuses that allow criminal aliens back into the neighborhoods where they were arrested.

Are you still believe that Undocumented Immigrants draining the services or you just want to deported all for not paid them the benefits they are entitled to?.

Attorneys see surge in immigrant clientele. Study concluded that the total 2004 tax revenue attributable to immigrant workers was about $2.4 billion, including $860 million for naturalized citizens and $1.5 billion for non-citizens.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A new Oklahoma immigration law under challenge in federal court is bringing more clients to immigration attorneys’ offices, some with fears based in misunderstanding the law, others with real concerns their families may be split apart.
The new law, most of which went into effect Nov. 1, affects illegal immigrants in their encounters with law enforcement and government agencies from which they seek services. Language that affects businesses and employers goes into effect next July.

The law also affects landlords and makes it illegal to transport or harbor immigrants with knowledge of their illegal status.
Hispanic church leaders and others are challenging the law’s constitutionality in Tulsa federal court, but they were unsuccessful in their attempt at blocking its enforcement while the court case is resolved.
Vance Winningham has been an immigration attorney for more than 35 years.
He said a number of people who come to his Oklahoma City office could be described as terrorized.
“We’ve had people come in who are American citizens and their spouse is an undocumented alien, and they’re not really eligible to obtain a green card at the present time without leaving the country,” Winningham said. “Several of them have children who were born here and are U.S. citizens.”

He told of one particular family in which the mother fears she will be arrested and her husband will be deported, leaving their children with no one to care for them.
“You can imagine how terrifying that is,” Winningham said.
Winningham was asked what he tells clients about the new law’s requirements.
“We just advise them that they don’t have to prove their alienage,” he said. “It’s up to the government.”

In situations where someone is arrested for a felony or a DUI, he said, law enforcement is bound to try to ascertain people’s status.
“But we’ve had people come in, and it was just a regular traffic stop,” he said. “Just the other day, they were both Hispanic. He had his green card, she didn’t. They took her and called ICE, and I assume she’s in deportation proceedings.”

Winningham’s firm also hears from employers wondering what their responsibilities are under the new state law.

“I said, if you don’t know what their nationality is and they haven’t told you, you don’t need to inquire at all,” he said. “Same way we’ve heard, landlords that are evicting all their Hispanic folks just because they’re Hispanic if they can’t show papers. Well, they don’t have to do that.”

Winningham said the law requires knowledge of or reckless disregard for whether an individual is in the country illegally.
“To rent a house, you don’t have to ask for their papers,” he said.
Winningham also said that a U.S. Supreme Court case prohibits denying children an education.

“School officials aren’t even authorized to ask what their legalization is,” he said. “They don’t have to produce a Social Security number or anything else.”
He said a recent trip to Ardmore demonstrated the potential economic effect of the law.

Winningham said he was in a Mexican restaurant that is usually filled with local Hispanic workers and their families, especially on Sundays and at noon times.
“It was almost vacant,” he said.
However, he said the owners of another restaurant in a small town that he declined to name told him they have not been affected much, because the town has made its Hispanics part of the community.

“Just from a logical standpoint, we need to deal with it,” Winningham said. “We’ve got 12 million people here.”
He said these are people who produce and buy goods.

“You think we’ve got some problems with the economy now,” he said.
Winningham said two recent studies came to the same conclusion, that immigrants have a net positive impact economically.

One of those studies was conducted by Judith Gans, with the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona.
Arizona’s foreign-born population grew by 200 percent between 1990 and 2004, with its non-citizen population rising by almost 280 percent.

Gans’ study concluded that the total 2004 tax revenue attributable to immigrant workers was about $2.4 billion, including $860 million for naturalized citizens and $1.5 billion for non-citizens.

Balanced against about $1.4 billion in estimated costs for education, health care and law enforcement, Gans determined that the net fiscal impact of immigrants in Arizona was a positive $940 million.
The study concluded that the total economic output attributable to immigrant workers was about $44 billion, including $29 billion for non-citizens