by Charlotte Hazard
Oklahoma is the latest state to face a legal battle with the Biden administration over illegal immigration, with a federal judge blocking legislation that would have made entering the country illegally a state crime.
Oklahoma House of Representatives Bill No. 4156 makes it a crime to be in Oklahoma without legal status. The law was signed into law April 30 but was blocked by a federal judge in June after the Biden administration filed a lawsuit against the state.
Department of Justice argued in his lawsuit against Oklahoma that the laws are unconstitutional because it is the federal government’s job to enforce border laws and regulate immigration.
In his June decision, U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones took a similar positionarguing that Oklahoma’s law gives the state too much power and conflicts with federal law.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (pictured above), a Republican, has announced he will appeal the decision.
“While today’s court ruling is disappointing, I will not stop fighting for Oklahoma and our right to protect our borders.” he said in a statement. “The Biden Administration’s complete failure to enforce federal immigration laws has made House Bill 4156 necessary. We intend to appeal today’s decision and defend one of the most powerful tools we have to combat criminal activity, much of it fueled by undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma.”
Other states, such as Iowa and Texas, have attempted to pass legislation to combat illegal immigration.
Earlier this year, Texas passed a law that would allow local police to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants if the federal government fails to do so. After opposition and lawsuits, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Texas could enforce the law.
However, in March, the Court of Appeal it was ruled to block the lawarguing that the laws “significantly hinder the exercise of authority by federal immigration officials.”
Iowa passed legislation similar to that in Texas in April and as a result was sued by the Department of Justice in May.
“Iowa cannot disregard the United States Constitution and established Supreme Court precedent” Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton saidHead of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice.
“We made this decision to ensure that Iowa adheres to the immigration legal framework enacted by Congress and the Constitution,” the statement continued.
Louisiana has adopted legislation which would allow police to detain people suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. So far, the Justice Department has not sued the state.
Tennessee has legislation signed in April that would require local police to report undocumented immigrants to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The legislation went into effect July 1.
Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee said the law is intended to support keep the state secure, according to local media.
“It’s important that the appropriate authorities are notified of the status of this person. I think that makes sense,” he said.
Illegal immigration has become a major issue for President Joe Biden, as many Republican Party leaders have criticized his “open borders” policies, saying they are hurting the country.
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Charlotte Hazard is a reporter at Just the News.
Photo “Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond by AG Gentner Drummond.
