The Oklahoma Daily (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 91, No. 152, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Page: 3 of 12
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Oklahoma Daily
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I, 2008 private illegal immigrants
The new act
will take effect
July 1, 2008.
Tifani Davis
Daily Staff Writer
• On a nti
Art
FAST
5. 1
W ednesday, May 23,2(X)~ 3
the realization that a level of
compromise will be needed with
a topic concerning so many citi-
zens’ varying beliefs.
Tlie Comprehensive Immigration
Reform Act of 2007 (S. 1348) was
introduced May 9, as a bill of
compromise between Democrats
and Republicans as a means to
reform the cunent system and
end t he debates and controversy.
On Monday the bill was sent
through to be debated on the
Senate floor, assuring that the
debate has only begun
Ixxisely titled by the public
as the "senate immigration com-
promise" it appears to please
no one entirely. The compro-
mise appeal* to some immigra-
tion advocates by allowing some
12 million illegal immigrants
continued U.S. residence while
working towards obtaining citi-
zenship.
But, while millions of immi-
I grants will be allowed residence
$ '
person’s circumstance.
*1 am in favor of definitely
holding up the rules on immi-
gration,’ Patel said. “There an'
millions who are patiently doing
it legally and waiting in line, but
remember they could also be in
a much better financial status ’
While this new bill may have
rvignited controversy within the
community it will ultimately
rest upon the shoulders of the
national government. There will
need to be compromise and
understanding on all sides for
any legislation to have a signifi-
cant effect
’While some will undoubt
erily claim this state legislation
is a landmark step forward, tlie
truth of the matter is we will not
effectively address immigration
reform until the federal govern
ment arts,’ Henry said
Certainly, the nation is in need
of some level of immigration
reform. Some wonder if this may
be going too far.
Anand Patel, University
College senior, is a former immi-
grant from India who arrived
in the U.S. in 1992, but did not
receive citizenship until 2002
when his parents obtained it
While he supports individu-
als immigrating to the U.S.
he believes they should do it
legally, understanding that there
are many unique factors to each
happy to know engaged citizens
can effectively communicate
their desires and wishes through i
their legislative representatives
to the governor.
“I’m very pleased with
[Henry's] decision to sign the
bill,’ Terrill said. “1 find it quite
refreshing."
Starting Nov. 1, the govern-
ment entities will abide by the bill
and no longer provide identifica-
tion cards or public assistance to
illegal immigrants. Additionally,
agents of law enforcement will
be able to physically detain
immigrants until their deporta-
tion.
The most significant part of
the bill involves employment.
Beginning July I.
sectors will begin following the
legislation as well focusing on
the hiring of illegal aliens as
employees. The Federation of
American Immigration Reform
estimates that $200 million a
year is spent on public works
and other resources intended to
benefit illegal aliens.
Effect on Business
“Businesses will no longer be
able to willfully hire illegal aliens
or turn a blind eye," Terrill said.
The new system will require
• • companies to check the back-
bill like this has within the com- provision
ate a new
munity.
“It’s going to take us back, exploited
Madrid said.’“I'm sure there’s be 1------
Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry
passed a controversial immigra-
tion bill May 8, which has rekin-
dled the spark of debate that sur-
rounded last years protest and
inarches regarding the rights of
illegal immigrants —
immigration reform.
The Oklahoma Taxpayers
and Citizens Protection Act of
2007 was created by Rep. Randy
Terrill, R-Moore, in response
to many of the citizens within
his community. Terrill said, he’s Qy Reaction
Some OU students will also be
affected by this bill, as it will reg-
ulate the tuition levels for chil-
dren of immigrants, while also
taking away scholarship oppor-
tunities. OU President David L
Boren offered reassurance to
students.
“It appears that a very mini-
mal number of students at OU
will be* impacted,” Boren said.
“We are still evaluating, but at
most, nine could be affected and
perhaps none. We are in the
process of gathering that infor-
mation."
Immigrant Reaction
With over 100,000 estimated
■ - in Oklahoma
there is certainly an outcry
against measures within the bill.
The D’ague of United Latin
American Citizens is the main
advocacy group for Latin
American illegal immigrants
nationwide, and is opposed to
, measures within the state signed
bill and the 1
national bill. Ray Madrid, state
director of LULAC, Is concerned
about the moral complications a
going to be neighlwirs turning
neighbors in."
Many groups and citizens
are questioning the legislative 5^
authority of Oklahoma, consid-
ering that immigration does not
fall within state jurisdiction, but
instead could only be authorized
on a national level.
National Efforts
The national government
has gotten the message. With
more states stepping forward
and passing various levels of
American dream. This bill will
dehumanize workers, short-
change employers and lead to
wide-spread undocumented
immigration as many workers
inevitably overstay their visas
rather than return home."
Fn the U.S., some groups like Student Views
LULAC are discouraged by the
other side of the coin, that prior-
ity will be given to those who
have special skills, but not those
with family in the U.S.
“The Senate compromise is a
radical departun’ from our cur-
rent system that is rooted in
newlv proposed family and employment-based
immigration, LULAC National
1’resident Rosa Rosales said. If
enacted, the temporary worker
alone would cre-
underclass of easily
workers who would
forbidden from realizing the
OK immigration act fuels controversy
ground of its staff one of three*
ways; a new basic ele< trunk
verification system, a Social
Security Number system, or a
criminal background check. This
new identification system v. ill be
free to employers who volunteer
to check all incoming employ-
ees.
Enforcement has always been
an issue with immigration bills,
but with the new system, if an
employer chooses not to com-
ply they must withhold state
income tax at the highest rate, and passing vanuu»
Additionally, following July 1. immigration bills the national
and national ’2008, employers can be charged government has finally come to
for employing illegal immigrants
and could face fines or jail time.
“1 strongly urge illegal immi-
grants in Oklahoma who would
like to stay to pursue citizenship
lawfully," Terrill said.
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Helms, Heather. The Oklahoma Daily (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 91, No. 152, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 23, 2007, newspaper, May 23, 2007; Norman, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1812289/m1/3/?rotate=180: accessed July 17, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center.